He wraps me in his arms as I cry everything out.
“Sia, seeing you like this makes me feel like shit. Tell me what I can do to make it better,” he whispers, caressing my hair.
“I miss him, Toby.”
“I know, baby. I know…”
“What if he doesn’t come back to me? How can I keep going on like this?”
“He will come around, Sia. That guy must be stupid if he doesn’t realize his feelings for you.”
“But what if he doesn’t?”
“Then you will keep your chin up and stand tall… like you always do, baby. I know you’re hurting, but I also know how strong you are.” He kisses my forehead.
Nodding my head, I squeeze him hard. “Thank you, Tobs.”
“Anytime, Sia. Why don’t you go home? Lily and I can manage.”
“No.” Shaking my head at him, I refuse to go back there unless I have to. “I’d prefer to work, I need to be busy.” Wiping away my tears I give Toby a smile and turn away.
I enter the ladies room and put some water on my face, looking in the mirror I see the ashen-faced mess looking back at me. “Pull yourself together Acacia, you’re no good like this,” I scowl at myself.
After going back into the bar, I try to get back to some normality and ignore the fact that my eyes keep turning back to the door in the hope of seeing him.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ASHTON
Two Weeks Later
It’s been one month since Acacia showed me the door.
It’s been one month since I last talked to her.
One month of loneliness in the middle of nowhere. One month of grieving for the loss of my love, April… but that wasn’t the only thing I grieved during that month. I also grieved for the loss of Acacia.
In only a few days she embedded herself under my skin and became an undeniable piece of me. And now, her absence is creating another big, empty hole in my life.
How do the women in my life capture my heart in such a short time? And why am I always being the bastard who can’t be brave enough to take the chance?
Caressing the frame of the last photo in the room, I pull it off from its hanger to place it into the box with others. April is watching me with her sweet smile, and shining eyes.
The pain in my heart is still there, a constant reminder of what I lost. I still love her like the first day I met her, but love isn’t about holding on forever; it’s also about letting go when the time comes.
And I decide to let go now.
It’s time to set April free…
Going to the kitchen, I smile when I see the message on it: Goodbye…
I caress the letters and rearrange them to create my own message: I will never forget you, Princess...
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ACACIA
I miss him.