Page 85 of When Forever Falls Apart

My shoulders move up and down, laughter reaching my lips at the ridiculousness of it all. “No one mentioned that to me, but then again, I was kinda busy spiraling.”

“You know, my mother is still trying to marry me off. Apparently, those grandchildren won’t arrive on their own,” he adds, a wry grin on his face.

“And what does Lara think about all that?” I ask, my curiosity piqued even as apprehension swells. “She’s nice, by the way.”

He shrugs, a shift in his expression suddenly becoming more serious. “I haven’t brought it up. It’s hard to discussthe future when your head is filled with someone else,” he admits, his gaze locking onto mine, the weight of his words lingering heavily between us.

I lower my head, desperate to tell him things have changed, but as I open my mouth to whisper his name, he reaches out, fingers brushing against mine to remind me of the connection we once had. The warmth of nostalgia spreads through me, like glancing at an old photograph that evokes fond memories.

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” he declares, his voice low and encouraging. “I know you were scared. Trust me, I was terrified, too. But it can just be the two of us. If you want to elope right now, I will run to city hall or even get on a plane to Vegas. Forget our parents.”

His bold proposal hangs in the air, fraught with possibility and layered feelings, making my heart race in a way I never could have anticipated. I raise my eyes to meet his. His sincerity leaves me utterly speechless.

“I… but… we’re over,” I stammer, unable to convey my feelings. “We were over when I ran away.”

“We all make mistakes, Maddy,” he is quick to assure me. “Just because you walked away doesn’t mean it was over for me. I still love you, and I know you’re in a relationship with that guy—”

“I’m not in a relationship,” I blurt out.

“You’re not?” Myles questions with hopeful eyes.

“Well, we’re not dating…” I pause to gather my thoughts. “You know what? I don’t want to get into semantics right now.”

The truth is, I don’t know how to explain what Elliot and I have. So far, it’s been a wild ride of sexual encounters and a whole lot of jealousy, but nothing about our future has been discussed.

“So, does that mean…”

I shake my head, fog clouding my mind as I try to grasp what is happening right now. “I need to go back to Cinnamon Springs,” I rush as I stand up, my napkin abruptly falling to the floor.

“Okay,” Myles says, sounding unsure. “Can we talk later? I know this is a lot.”

I start to nod, but then stop, instead forcing a smile. “Like I said, I need to go back home. I just… just… need…” I trail off, my words caught in my throat.

“Time,” Myles finishes with raised brows. He rises from his seat, and before I can gather my thoughts to make my exit, he leans closer, warmth radiating from him. With a gentle tilt of his head, he leans in, and a rush of anticipation surges through me.

Myles brushes his lips against my cheek, tender and lingering, leaving behind the delicate imprint of a kiss just like the many he’s given me before.

But this time, it feels different.

“I’m here. No matter what’s happened, I’m still here.”

And in just one brunch, the fate of my future has taken another wild turn.

There he is, the man I had envisioned sharing my life with, offering me a second chance.

Yet back home, another man awaits, one whose fear of commitment flew him all the way from Paris to Cinnamon Springs.

We’ve been fooling around, and despite his possessive stance last night, this could still go either way. I grapple with telling Elliot about this brunch with Myles, but the last thing I want is for Elliot to think I’m using it as a way to make him jealous.

This isn’t about anyone’s pride.

It’s about what I want.

And my heart, well, it wants what it wants.

I just need to listen to it, once and for all.

CHAPTER 24Elliot