Fill Me (Rouse Me 3)

It's unlikely. He's so damn polite. If he wasn't going to show, he would have called me, texted me, sent me a damn messenger pigeon--something to let me down easy.

I make my way to the oversized tree behind our old apartment complex. For a while, we both lived here. I lived with Ryan. Luke was renting a condo so he wouldn't have to stay in the house he'd shared with his ex.

It was all terribly complicated.

But this spot is where I found him with that book. He was waiting for me. I'm sure of it.

He'd arranged the whole thing perfectly. He was wearing only running shorts and he was splayed over the grass so casually, like he was waiting for someone to come along and mount him.

I press my hand into the tree. It's smooth and hard, like it can withstand anything.

It's bright already, and I'm certain that everything around me is spinning. I lean against the tree, squinting my eyes to block out the sun.

Whatever happens, I'll be okay.

I'll be okay.

I'm sure I'll be okay.

There are footsteps behind me. They're steady and determined. I tell myself it's nothing. It's still too early to get excited.

"I didn't think you'd move on so quickly."

Oh God, what if he's here to ask for the ring back, to tell me how pathetic I am, to tell me he's so glad he broke up with me.

Everything is spinning around me. I open my eyes and turn around.

He's standing there on the grass, in a black suit. He looks damn good with his hair slicked back. His eyes are wide, bright, full of that life I haven't seen in so damn long.

He's wearing a suit. It's not like he'd wear a suit to give me a brush-off.

It's not like he'd wear a suit to break my heart.

My mouth is dry. I try to open it to speak, but nothing comes out.

"I'll take that as hello," he says. His voice is smooth, calm. But there's a hint of joy there.

It's a good sign.

"Did you, um..." My legs are shaking, but I hold on to the tree to stay upright.

I buckle. Luke swoops in, catching me before I can hit the ground. His hands are on my waist. They're so soft, so gentle.

I bring my eyes back to his. "Did you... Did you read everything?" Deep breath.

He nods. "Every word."

He helps me to my feet, but his hands stay firmly on my waist.

That's a really fucking good sign.

"And...?"

"It's everything I wanted."

My legs buckle again, but he squeezes me tighter, pressing my body against his.

It's not like he'd be holding me if he was about to dump me.