Don't Forget Me Tomorrow (Time River, #2)

by A.L. Jackson

I reminded myself it was none of my concern where he was going, or more importantly, who he was running to. Ryder was my friend. And I could rest satisfied in that, even though that friendship was always going to be bittersweet.

“More than that, you think I’ve ever brought one of them here?” A scoff quivered free. “I might not know where you spend your time, Ryder, but I know how you spend it.”

Love rushed, and I suddenly felt rawer than I had in years. I knew it was because I’d been shaken up. The stir of last night and staying in such close quarters with Ryder had left me feeling unsettled.

“That’s right. Love is really the most important, and we can’t get too busy for that,” Evelyn agreed. “I’ve got plenty of people who love me.” “But not the loved-up kind.” Suggestion glinted through her overexaggerated gaze. “Loved-up only leaves you messed-up.”

There are all these medical bills that need to be paid. So, that fucking cancer didn’t just steal my mom, it stole my home, too.”

“You don’t think I deserve to find love, Ryder? Do you think I’m not desirable enough that someone would want me?”

“Do I think you’re not desirable, Dakota? You’re the most desirable woman I’ve ever met. And yeah, I think you’re worthy of love. Worthy of it more than anyone I know. Don’t ever mistake that.”

I was just jealous that I wasn’t worthy of receiving it from her.

kicked in. I knew better than that. Ryder would never really want me. Not the way I wanted him. He’d told me, and I was a fool to believe anything else.

“Because the only person I want to touch me is you.”

“Your past doesn’t define you, Ryder. No, I don’t know the full circumstances, but I know you lost yourself after your mom died. I would never blame you or judge you for that.”

“He’s a fool, Dakota. A fucking fool. You’re beautiful. Everything about you. The inside. The outside. That smile and the way you light up the room. Don’t fucking listen to anyone who ever tells you otherwise.”

“I love you, Dakota. I’m gone for you. Since I was twenty-two fucking years old, I’ve been gone for you. Since you became the one thing in this world that could soothe the ache inside me. Since you became the reason to look beyond my circumstances. Since you reminded me of the good things this world might have to offer.”

“You saved me, Dakota. Saved me when I was lost. When I’d given up. And I keep trying to push you away because I know I don’t deserve you. But I can’t do that any longer. I can’t fucking deny that you are the one thing in this life that I’ve been living for. You are the light breaking the darkness inside me. And I’m begging you, please don’t walk away.”

“The only thing I want is for you to be happy, Dakota. Fully happy and fulfilled. I pray every day that this life gives you everything you deserve. That you find the one who makes your heart and body sing, holds you up when you need uplifting and cheers you on when you’re standing fine on your own. And I’m not blind…I know your heart made its pick a long, long time ago.”

“And I love that boy like my own son, but I also know there is something in his life that is far more complicated than he lets on. And more than that, there is a pain…a fear there,” she corrected, “that scares me. And I won’t ever tell you what to do, but I will ask that you be careful.”

“You can accept it, Dakota. Because I want to give you everything you deserve in this world. I want to watch you soar. Fly. Take hold of every dream you’ve ever wished. And I want to be worthy of watching you do it.”