CHAPTER 81

CHARLENE'S POV

"You'll come back eventually, Jaxton. It may take years, but eventually you'll find someone who understands, even if she doesn't love you like you deserve. That's what you want, right?"

It seemed so simple when I said it out loud, but it would never be simple with him. I know that now. It was a hopeless relationship. Even more hopeless than the one with Xavier. No matter where we went or what we did, there was always something holding us back from really being together.

We stared at each other in silence. Finally he gave a half smile and shook his head slightly before pulling himself up off the couch. We stood for a moment gazing at each other before he leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the cheek. I felt my eyes burn suddenly with unshed tears as I turned my head slightly and pressed my mouth against his shoulder.

He smelled of the laundry detergent he used. A strong masculine scent that mixed pleasantly with some sweet, flowery scent he liked to wear. I wrappe