Page 98 of A Cup of Autumn
“It didn’t work for you with Emmett. We’re different.”
Raine shook her head. “We’re more similar than I realized. Continuing to see each other will only delay the inevitable.”
The certainty in her voice made him take a step back. His chest wanted to cave in on itself. “You’re—”
“I’m closing the door.”
He hadn’t expected that. Not at all.
Keaton tried to see things from her perspective. Tried and failed. But her stiff posture and determined expression told him she wouldn’t be swayed.
“I’ll miss you.” He leaned over the counter to kiss her goodbye.
She backed away. “I-I can’t.”
Raine hadn’t closed the door. She’d slammed it in his face.
It—they—were over.
Hurt slashed through him. More than he thought it would. “I understand. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Her voice cracked. Resignation filled her gaze. “I’m living my dream. I would never expect you to give up yours.”
He longed to reach out and caress her face one last time, but he kept his arm pressed against his side.
“That’s why I didn’t ask you to come with me.” That was what the other guy had asked her to do. “I would never want you to give up what matters most to you.”
The whites of her eyes turned red. Tears welled. “Good luck in Boston. I hope it’s everything you’ve dreamed about.”
“Thanks.” He hesitated. “Can I hug you?”
Raine half smiled. She leaned forward. “Yeah.”
Keaton wrapped his arms around her, and Raine did the same with him. The counter was in the way, but he didn’t care. He wanted to relish every moment of her in his arms.
The scents of vanilla and coffee surrounded him. He inhaled, holding on to her because he wanted to remember the way she felt, her warmth, and her heartbeat against him.
Keaton didn’t want to let go. He might never ever find this again.
Raine dropped her arms and straightened. Her face was flushed. She held the journal in front of her like a shield. “Take care.”
Keaton waited for her to saykeep in touch.
She didn’t.
He didn’t say it either even if that was what he wanted. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but he had. He’d hurt both of them.
When he returned to Silver Falls in December, things wouldn’t be the same.
The light in Raine’s eyes had dimmed. Her smile appeared to take effort. Her shoulders drooped.
His fault.
Which meant…
Time to go.
“Take care of yourself.” As he walked toward the door, he used every ounce of his willpower not to glance over his shoulder at her.
