Heathen & Honeysuckle (Pacific Shores, #1)

by Sarah A. Bailey

I wonder how I can be in a room full of so many people, and none of them can see the misery behind my eyes.

She’s always had the key to my heart. She always fucking will.

“For what it’s worth, I really did love you,” I whisper.

“I think I might wait my whole life for you to come back, Darby. Something tells me there would be no point in trying to move on from this because I’d end up searching for you in every place I go. In every person I meet. Aimlessly wandering until I find you again.”

You’re not just the honey, Darby. You’re the whole damn flower. Do not forget you have poison berries. You have strength, resilience, and an independent mind. You do not need to conform to anyone else’s way of living. Okay?”

“I’d have this. I’d have this piece of you, this reminder that at one point and time, you were mine. It’s a reminder that I know what love is. That I have been loved, even if I’m not anymore.”

The reminder that she’s real. That we’re real. We’ve always been real.

“I mean every single fucking thing I’ve ever said to you, Darby. I still mean them now.”

“Then show me what I’ve been missing. Show me what can only be found with you.”

Darby. My honeysuckle. My first love. My only love.

“Every piece of me belongs to you anyway.”

My fucking soul. It’s all yours.

“I already told you: I mean every word I’ve ever said to you.”

then I want you to know that I’m still here. I’m still waiting. I think I’ll always be waiting for you, even if you never come back.

I’m still searching for you in every place I go, in every person I meet.