Shameless (Enemies to Lovers 5)

Chapter 17

EVIE

This feels too good to be wrong.

Lying in Rhett’s arms, feeling his warm skin beneath my cheek, and watching his chest rise and fall with every breath he takes, wakes something inside of me. It’s like a blossom on the first day of spring.

But I’m scared that the first storm will ruin it and along with it my heart.

I want to know more about Rhett, and lying so close to him gives me the guts to ask, “What’s your favorite memory of your parents?”

He takes a deep breath, and as he holds me close, he turns onto his side to face me. With my head resting on his bicep, we’re so close I can feel the heat of his breath on my face.

The corner of his mouth pulls up as he remembers something and I have to resist the urge to reach up and touch his lips. Instead, I tuck my arms between us, curling my fingers into the fabric of my shirt.

“We had this thing we always did on Sunday’s,” he says, his voice a low rumble. “Dad would make breakfast. Well, actually he tried. Without fail, he would burn the bacon, and I swear you could play baseball with those eggs. But we ate it without complaint.” His eyes drift closed, and a sad look haunts his features. “I miss the smell of burnt bacon.”

I stare at him, imprinting the image of him at this moment into my mind. This is Rhett. The sad boy who misses his dad and mom.

Intuitively, I wrap my right arm around him as I press my face into his chest. I hug him as tight as I can with my right arm. When he buries his face in my neck, and his arms lock me to him, I have to close my eyes against the tears threatening to fall for him.

That’s when I know I’m in trouble. I never cry for myself, but for this man, I will weep.

Minutes pass where we hold each other.

How’s it possible that you can wake up in the morning with your heart still safely in your chest, but come night, it belongs to someone else?

All it took was Rhett showing me a side to him he keeps hidden. I’ve fallen in love with a little black haired boy.

As Rhett pulls back, he brings his hand to my cheek. Our eyes meet, and it feels like there’s an invisible cord tying us to each other.

What I feel for Rhett has been slowly building over the past six months. He’s so easy to love. When you spend time with him, his focus is solely on you. I’ve never had that before. I’ve never meant anything to anyone.

I know I’m going to regret it in the morning, but no longer able to keep my feelings for him a secret, I whisper, “I love you.”

A look of pain crosses his features, but he doesn’t break eye contact with me. I don’t expect him to say the words back. I meant it when I said I love him. As a friend. As a savior. As a person. Yes, I feel attracted to him, but that has nothing to do with what’s in my heart.

I suppose you could say I love him the same way he cares for one of his friends.

But the moment between us shatters, and his words rain down on me like flakes of ice freezing any hope I had that he might love me back.

“You’re a good friend, Evie. But that’s all we can be, just friends.”

I close my eyes, hiding from the truth that I’m unlovable. I turn onto my other side and force my voice to sound light.

“Night, Rhett. Thanks for letting me stay.”

He takes hold of my shoulder and pulls me onto my back.

“Don’t do that, Evie. Don’t withdraw from me.”

I keep my eyes on the other side of the room, far away from Rhett.

“I meant it as a friend,” I whisper. I might as well tell him what I feel. What’s the use in hiding now? “I love you as a friend. You’re the first person to show me any kindness. When life turned its back on me, and I became invisible, you saw me. You take care of me without expecting anything in return. How can I not love you? You’re the perfect friend.”

Rhett presses his forehead against the side of my head, and his breath flutters over my ear.

“I’ll always see you. I’ll always take care of you. I was a dick for assuming you were confessing your undying love for me.”

He pulls slightly back and cupping my cheek, he turns my face so that I’ll look at him.

“I don’t let people in easily, but once you’re in, it’s for life.” A soft smile plays around his full lips. “From the moment I saw you, you were in here.” Removing his hand from my cheek, he pats the spot over his heart.

He remains quiet for a moment before he whispers words I’ve never heard directed at me before.

“I love you too, Evie.”

I’m hit by a tidal wave of emotions that makes my eyes brim with tears, and as Rhett offers me the safety of his chest, I’m overcome with happiness and a sense of finally belonging somewhere.