Page 5 of Run to Me

“Nope,” I lie as we approach the door. I take a deep breath and pull open the door.

A bell chimes above my head as we step into the bookstore and then she suddenly appears, looking like a fucking wet dream wearing ripped, distressed jeans and a cream sweater that clings to her chest.

Her long brown hair cascades down her shoulders and I get the sudden urge to reach out and feel it, glide my fingers through it to see if it’s as soft and silky as it looks.

I stand and stare at her as a wide smile takes over her face that feels like a fucking gut punch. Christ, that smile alone could probably solve world peace.

The smile reaches her emerald green eyes, and my breath halts as I realize thatI’mthe one that put that smile there.

Well, Izzy too, but she doesn’t count in this situation.

“Hey, welcome to One Last Chapter. Is there anything specific that you’re looking for or are you just here to browse?” Her light voice washes over me and it’s like a fucking balm to my soul.

Her voice is like a symphony, calling out to me and guiding me home.

I can’t take my goddamn eyes off her. She’s even more breathtaking up close. I just want to fucking bottle her up and keep her away from the world.

Maybe this was a bad idea, because looking at her now? All I want to do is throw her over my shoulder and get her the fuck out of here—away from other people—and keep her to myself. I want to hold onto her and never let her go.

Maybe there’s a way I cou—

I’m pulled from my spiraling thoughts by Izzy jabbing her elbow into my side. Clearly, I’ve been staring at her while thinking for way too long and judging by the way they’re both looking at me expectantly, I’ve definitely missed something.

“Nice to meet you,” I say with a nod, not knowing what else to do while ignoring the exasperated look that Izzy sends me.

Way to be fucking cool, man.

Luckily, I recover quickly and follow her as she leads us down an aisle that showcases this month’s bestsellers.

“I want to build my sister-in-law a library as a wedding gift so we’re going to need as many recommendations as you can give us,” I say, wanting to make it clear that Izzy and I are in no way involved, even though I don’t plan to take this any further than a simple customer encounter.

My Robyn takes my request in stride, and before I know it, I’m asking random questions about different books while the pile I’m currently carrying seems to keep growing. Knowing I’m probably helping her small business makes me feel a sliver of pride but is quickly doused out by the fact that this will be a one-time visit.

There’s too much at risk for me to come back. If my family’s enemies sniff out so much as a whiff of a weakness, they won’t hesitate to use it against me. They won’t hesitate to hurt her.

And then I’ll have to burn the city ash before fucking shooting myself for allowing her to get mixed up with me.

It’s better for everyone involved to not bring her into my life,even if it already feels like she holds the other half of my soul in her hands.

I soak in every single second I have in her company, allowing myself to chat to her, joke with her, laugh with her. Just this once.

Because when I walk out of those doors, Robyn will never see my face again.

It’s the way it has to be, even if the thought of never speaking to her again makes me feel like someone is reaching into my chest and ripping my goddamn heart right out from where it sits, beating for her.

Only ever for her.

Needing to get the fuck out of here before I do something irrational, I tell Robyn that we have everything we need and make my way over to the counter so I can pay for the stack of books I’ve been carrying around before paying in cash.

“Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope to see you again soon.” Robyn smiles and I return the gesture before hightailing it outside before what’s left of my control fucking snaps.

Izzy is right behind me as I start to walk down the sidewalk.

“Do you feel better now that you’ve spoken to her?” Izzy asks after a couple of minutes of silence.

Do I feel better?

I got to see my angel up close, it’s all I’ve wanted to do since I laid eyes on her a month ago. I got to speak to her, andfuck me,hearing her angelic voice and looking into those vivid green eyes while she smiled at me had only made me want her more. So, do I feel better? I honestly don’t know.