“He said I was his heart, and you don’t leave your heart behind. You can’t live without your heart.”

“I will always love you, Kellan. Your heart is safe with me.”Kellan pulled me into a hug and let out a long, shaky breath as he held me. “Promise?” he whispered?I squeezed him just a little bit tighter. “I promise.” Pulling back, I rested my forehead against his. “Not loving you isn’t possible. Trust me, I tried.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, and if our roles were reversed, I couldn’t handle watching you with another man.”I gave him a sad smile as I whispered, “You already did.”Kellan’s mouth parted, and a wave of sadness swept over his features. It broke my heart.”

“Amid the screams of his leaving, I leaned down and whispered, “You just can’t help it, can you?”His expression innocent, he asked, “Help what?”Smiling, I kissed his cheek. “Being ridiculously attractive.”

“What if I don’t choose you, Kellan? What will you do?”He looked away, a tear rolling down his cheek. “I’ll leave, Kiera. I’ll leave, and you and Denny can have your happily ever after.” He looked back at me. “You wouldn’t even need to tell him about me. Eventually, the two of you…” his voice broke and another tear fell on his cheek, “the two of you would get married, and have children, and have a great life.”I fought back a sob. “And you? What happens to you in that scenario?”“I…get by. And I miss you, every day,” he whispered.”

“I gently grabbed his face with my hands. "Don't leave me. You are mine...and I'm yours. I want you...and you can have me.”

“I don't know how to let you back in." My heart beat spiked and I closed my eyes when he whispered," I don't know how to keep you out either.”