Everything Between Us

he windows. The rush of emotions from her encounter with Jordan still lingered in her ches

ve her what she needed - love, stability, honesty. But there she was, letting Jo

ner. Ava stared at the text for a moment, then put the phone down. She wasn't ready to face

keep do

ing solid. The silence between them now was almost more painful than the words he had spo

've been fooling myself, thinking he'd ever be ready for something

herself to believe she was finally moving on. But then Jordan had appeared again, and everything had unraveled.

o it was. But when she opened it, there he was - Jordan, standing on her doorstep,

his voice hesitan

m in. The air between them felt thick, cha

t. When he finally spoke, it was with a rawness she hadn't expected. "

?" she said, her voice cool. "You told me you weren't ready for a relationship.

n distant, and I get why you're frustrated with me. But Ava, I've realized that I've been sc

ll there. She wanted to believe him, but how could she? She h

she said quietly, her voice trembling.

want to lose you," he said, his voice low. "But I understand if you need time. I jus

ds and expect everything to be okay," she said, shaking her head. "I've been here b

"I don't know what the right answer is, Ava. I don't. But I know I can

e. She wanted to believe him, to believe that he was ready for something real. Bu

oice steady but firm. "I need to put myself first. I n

ying to memorize every moment. After a beat, he finally spoke. "If you need space, I'll gi

rds. She didn't have all the answers, but she knew on

him in the eye. "Maybe it's time f

, and as he reached the door, he looked back at her. "I'll giv

orite café, the weight of the conversati

er voice soft. "I can't keep doing this.

ou've been giving so much of yourself to him, and you've been hurt

s hard, Liv. I miss him. But I don'

"But don't forget who you are without him. Y

ether. She wasn't sure what would happen next, but for the first time i