- 5.
(Previous parts of section 5 remain the same)
“Lynn,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “How am I supposed to move on? I’ve loved you for six years, and you’re just going to dismiss it
all with a casual ‘it’s over‘?” His voice cracked.
“That’s not fair. You can’t be this selfish.”
I turned back to him. His eyes were red- rimmed, his voice choked. “Lynn, I can’t move on. I don’t want to move on.” Jason had never begged for anything, not even at his lowest point. I never thought I’d be the one to make
<
him lower his head. Tears welled up in my eyes.
“Jason, you can’t be this selfish. You can’t have
your old flame and your new love.” I wiped my
cheeks. “And I’m not as selfless as you think.
I’m not going to be the other woman.”
He looked stunned, as if I’d hit a nerve. “Lynn, is that what you think of me?” I looked away, muttering, “You said you were getting married.” “To whom? The bride didn’t show up, did she?” Jason retorted. “Lynn, I remember my promise. I’d become the right person and earn my place in your future. Now I want to know, are you seeing anyone else? Do you still… love me?”
I burst into tears, unable to hold back any longer. I threw my arms around his waist. “I love you.” He cupped my face in his hands and leaned down so quickly I barely had time to react. His lips crashed onto mine, a fierce, desperate kiss. My heart hammered against my ribs. We kissed for what felt like forever, then pulled apart, gazing at each other as if we were
<
the only two people in the world.
The moment was shattered by another ringing phone. Jason reluctantly released me, his brow furrowing as he saw his mother’s name on the screen. “I should go,” he said, his voice
strained. “I’ll call you.”
I tried to sound magnanimous. “Okay. We’ll
talk.” But I didn’t want him to go. Seventeen-
year–old Lynn could walk away without a
second thought. Twenty–four–year–old Lynn
couldn’t. I was scared. Scared that once he left,
tonight would feel like a dream, and I’d wake up
with nothing.
