Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

When she wakes up, she smiles sheepishly at me. “Are you feeling better?”

I walk over to the bed and sit beside her. “Yeah. Thank you for taking care of me last night.”

She grabs my hand and holds it in hers. “You never have to thank me. I’m just glad to see you’re feeling better.” She closes her eyes, keeping my hand pressed against her.

“I’m heading home. I called and changed my flight.”

Her eyes pop open. “You’re what?” She sits up, looking around and seeing my bag packed. “Why? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just think it’s better if I go home. I know you have a lot of work to do, and I don’t want you having to take care of me.”

“But, Tucker, it’s fine. You don’t need to leave.”

“Yeah, I do. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“But who’s going to take care of you if you have another sickness hit you like that?”

I inhale, hating that she’s so worried about me. “It’s okay. I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself. I promise.”

I run my finger down her face, and she stops my movement, holding my hand against her cheek.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I’ll be just fine. It’s only five in the morning. Go back to sleep for a little while, so you can face the day ahead more refreshed.”

She grins, but I know it’s not real. Her expression just makes my decision easier to realize. She has a big life in front of her in this city she calls home. She doesn’t need to be taking care of a guy almost twice her age.

I lean down and kiss her lips. “Thank you for everything. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she says, barely above a whisper wrapping her arms around me and holding me there for a moment longer.

What should be a monumental moment between us feels like a stab to the heart. I wish I weren’t facing this horrible disease, but I am, and I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s life in the meantime.

Justine

I hated seeing Tucker walk out the door, but I know for him, it was a pride thing. If he needs his space, I’m willing to give it. What he’s going through has to be a lot, and I have to respect his wishes.

I tried to go back to sleep, but it was pointless with my nerves from him leaving twisting and turning my insides even though I’d only gotten a few hours of actual sleep last night.

Finally giving up, I slide out of bed, feeling every inch of awkwardness in how I slept last night throughout my body but it was worth it. Knowing how sick he was and how much he needed me broke my heart, and one night of bad sleep is nothing compared to what he’s dealing with.

When I get to the bathroom, I see a note on the counter.

Justine,

I’m sorry I made you come back to take care of me last night. You deserve so much more than having to take care of a sick person. Don’t worry about me. I’ve taken care of myself for the last few years, and I’ll be just fine.

I know you have a lot of work to do, so stay here. There’s no reason for you to come back to Mason Creek just for me. This is your home, and that was obvious last night.

I’ve loved our time together, and I will cherish it forever.

All my love,

Tucker

Tears fill my eyes as I drop the letter to the counter. I know he’s going through a lot, but this is absolutely not what I even considered would happen. I race to grab my phone to call him, but it instantly goes to voice mail. When I glance at the clock, I realize he’s probably still on the plane.

As tears flow freely down my face, I curl up in my bed and let them fall.

I know I love him, but seeing him so afraid of being a burden that he feels he doesn’t deserve to be with anyone is just too much. He’s such a prideful man, and it breaks my heart to see him this way.

Chapter Thirty

Justine

I had to peel myself out of bed to get to work on time. I’ve been a wreck since Tucker left, and I’ve heard nothing from him.

I’m thankful I have so much to do that it’s keeping me busy, but I feel like every ten minutes, I’m checking my phone to see if he’s responded to my text messages or the voice mail I left him.

By three o’clock, I can’t take it anymore and sneak away to call him again. After two rings, it goes to voice mail.

I send him a text message.

Please let me know that you got home okay.

The text bubbles pop up instantly, and I feel some kind of relief even if it is short-lived.

I’m home.

Wow. That’s all I get. I’m home? Is he being serious?

I know the last thing he wants is for me to bug him, so no matter how much I want to call him, I put my phone away and get back to work, focusing on the task at hand and not trying to worry about what’s going to happen.

“Hey, Justine,” Susan says as she enters my office. “You got a second?”

I look up, trying to put on a fake smile while I lean back in my chair, giving her my attention. “Yeah?”

She sits down at the chair next to my desk. “How are things going?”

“Good. I’ve gotten the caterer all set up with where they’ll—”

She places her hand over mine. “I meant, with you. How has it been, being back in New York?”

I close my eyes, trying to fight the tears that sting them instantly. I feel horrible about not telling her about Tucker and him leaving, but she doesn’t need to hear all of my drama. If she thinks I’m having a hard time because of