Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Pope doesn’t move, doesn’t even blink. “It is,” he says, his voice final, unwavering. And just like that, my ex turns and slinks off into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he came.
I’m standing there, rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. But it’s not fear anymore. It’s something else. Something deeper. I watch Pope, the way his shoulders relax now that my ex is gone, the way he doesn’t immediately turn to me, giving me space to breathe, to process.
In that moment, it hits me like a tidal wave. Pope isn’t my ex. He’s nothing like him. He didn’t try to control me, didn’t fight for dominance or power. He just stood there, a solid, unwavering force, protecting me without suffocating me. And I realize now that I’ve been running—running from Pope, from the possibility of something real, something that might actually be good for me. But Pope isn’t here to take control. He’s here to give me space, to let me stand on my own, but with him by my side.
Tears well in my eyes, the weight of everything I’ve been holding in crashing down on me. All the fear, the hesitation, the constant second-guessing—it all feels so small compared to the truth in front of me. Pope was never the enemy. He’s always been on my side, waiting for me to see it.
I take a step toward him, my hands shaking but my heart steadier than it’s been in months. “Pope,” I say, my voice cracking a little. He turns, and the second his eyes meet mine, I feel the last of my walls crumble. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my breath catching in my throat. “I’ve been so scared. I didn’t trust you, didn’t trust myself. But I was wrong.”
He steps closer, his eyes softening, and I can see the tension leaving his body. “I know,” he says quietly. “But I’ve always been here, Ruby. I’m not going anywhere.”
My chest tightens, but it’s not fear anymore. It’s relief, mixed with something else—something warmer, safer. I meet his eyes, feeling the weight of every unsaid word between us. “I see it now,” I whisper. “And I’m ready.”
The silence that follows isn’t heavy or awkward. It’s filled with understanding, with the promise of something more. Pope steps forward, gently cupping my face in his hands, his touch grounding me in a way I never thought possible. For the first time in so long, I feel safe. Not because I’m hiding, but because I’m finally letting myself be seen.
As we stand there, surrounded by the stacks of the half-built library, the tension between us melts away, replaced by something deeper, something real. I don’t know what the future holds, but with Pope by my side, I’m ready to face whatever comes next.
And this time, I’m not running.
Chapter Ten
Pope
The sun is sinking behind the mountains, casting a warm, golden glow over everything but I can’t seem to shake the tension running through my body. My hands still, resting on a beam as I watch Ruby approach. She’s moving slowly, like she’s carrying something heavy, but not physically. I can see it in the way her shoulders are drawn tight, her gaze slightly downcast. She’s holding something back—again—but tonight, I can feel that it’s different. She’s ready to let it out.
The site is quiet, just the rustle of the wind through the trees and the occasional creak of wood settling around us. But it’s the silence between us that holds the most weight, pressing down on me as Ruby steps closer, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her notebook. My chest tightens. I’ve been waiting for this. She’s finally going to let me in. Something about the way we worked together to cast off her ex has bonded us, but I’m not sure if it’s in a good way.
I shift, crossing my arms, trying to keep myself calm, but my heart’s pounding like a hammer against my ribs. She stops in front of me, close enough that I can see the way her hands tremble. Her eyes meet mine, and there’s something raw in them—something I haven’t seen before.
“I’ve been holding back,” Ruby starts, her voice quiet but steady. She pauses, as if gathering her thoughts, then takes a deep breath. “I haven’t been fair to you. And I’m sorry for that. You’ve been nothing but kind and generous to me.”
Hearing her say those words hits me like a gut punch. I wasn’t expecting her to apologize. Hell, I don’t even think she owes me one. I uncross my arms and step forward, keeping my voice low, calm. “You don’t owe me an apology, Ruby,” I murmur, trying to ease the weight on her shoulders. “You’ve been through hell. I get it.”
But she shakes her head, that dark intensity still in her eyes. “It’s more than that,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s not just about what happened with him… it’s about me. The way I shut people out, the way I convinced myself that I don’t need anyone.”