“I don’t want to talk about Jace anymore tonight. We’re supposed to be on a date.” I motion between the two of us. “What kind of date would I be if I talked about another guy all night?”
“The kind of date who’s in love with someone else.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, Presley. Two weeks ago, I would have been happy to have you to myself tonight. I would have been looking forward to it for days knowing that it would be just the two of us. In the final week. Headed to the end of this madness. Hoping we would be on the same page and ready to ride off into the sunset together.”
“Two weeks ago?”
“Yeah.”
“And now?” I need to hear him say it.
“Now, I see things differently. Do I still think you’re absolutely amazing? Yes. Would I still fight for you if Jace were here? No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you love him. He loves you. The only person I’d be fighting with is myself. Plus, I’m not the kind of guy to stand in the way of true love. And, not to hurt your feelings, but I’m not in love with you, Presley. I wanted to be. More than anything.”
All I can do is nod. His words should hurt, but they don’t. Not the way I thought they would anyway.
“What about Bella? Do you love her?”
“I think I could. I think I’d like to get to know her better. The real her. To spend time with her after this is all over.”
“You should choose her,” I blurt out. “Choose her and give yourself a chance at happiness. You’re a good guy, Lennon. You deserve to be happy with someone who can give you all of themself. I couldn’t do that when we met. It took weeks for me to feel ready to give even the smallest piece of my heart to anyone. I was certain it was shattered.”
“It was.” His confirmation causes me to sit up a little straighter in my chair. “Your heart was broken, Presley. I wanted to be the one to piece it back together, but I couldn’t make the pieces fit. The only person who could is the one you are meant to be with. You didn’t choose Jace over me. Your heart did.”