Chapter 48 Chapter 49 I don't answer him. Because if I do, I might say something like "I can't breathe without her" or "I'm already too far gone! Instead, I close my eyes and let the city blur past my window, one mile at a time, getting closer to the only woman who's ever without even so much as trying. unraveled me Mike pulls up quietly and smoothly to the curb, parking in front of the unassuming little building like he's done it a hundred times before. Sunlight catches in the bookstore window, filtering through dust motes and hanging signs that say things like 'NEW ROMANCE ARRIVALS' and FREE COFFEE FRIDAYS' en all on its own. I stare at the quaint glass-fronted door like it might open Like she might step out, see me and say... What exactly? I'm not sure. But it'll most likely be scathing, sarcastic, and uncomfortably honest. And I'd take it-gladly-just to hear her voice. She's somewhere in there. Laughing, maybe. Or arguing with a supplier on the phone about a delayed delivery. Or biting her lip while shelving a stack of hardcovers. All while she's blissfully unaware that I'm parked twenty feet away, with her name like a brand on the inside of my ribcage. "Boss? Mike asks quietly but not tentatively, "Are we staying or circling?" I don't answer him at first. I just sit there, with my elbows on my knees, and my eyes pinned to the shopfront like it's the only thing tethering me to this earth. I take in every detail-the chalkboard sign with an uneven quote, the crooked hanging fairy lights inside, and even the way a streak of sunlight breaks across the doorframe as some sort of beacon that calls to me. "It feels wrong to leave, I murmur. "But worse to go in." Mike hums thoughtfully, both of his hands still on the wheel. "You ever see those old movies where the guy charges into the airport just before the love of his life boards a plane?" gaze still locked on the storefront, "The ones that usually end with bad dialogue and a kiss that wouldn't pass a CPR course." - grunt, my gaze He chuckles softly, before adding, "Yeah. But you know what always bugs me? It's never the right time. Never the right words. But they go anyway." I look at him, unsure where he's going with this, "And?" Mike shrugs and replies, "I just always wonder if maybe...that's the whole point I glance back at the door that I know is unlocked and ready to be opened. Just a few steps. That's all it would take. I could walk inside, cross the threshold, and let whatever's happening between us breathe in the open air instead of suffocating in silence. But I don't. Not today. Because if I walk in now, I'll take too much from her and ask for more than she's ready to give. So, I sit back slowly, the leather seat cool against my spine, my hands curling into fists in my lap, and the ache in my chest deepening. "Drive," I say quietly. Mike doesn't argue. He just flicks on his turn signal and pulls away from the curb like nothing happened. Like I didn't just sit outside her door and choose to leave instead of crashing back into her life like a tidal wave. But as the bookstore fades into the distance through the side mirror-smaller, blurrier, gone-I feel something deep inside me resist. My body might be leaving, but my soul doesn't. It stays behind, rooted there, and waiting patiently for its other half inside that store. And I honestly don't know how long it'll stay there before it demands I go back and collect both of them. In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.