In silence, Matt and I make our way back to the house. Being near him still feels surreal after everything we went through, but it's time we find a way to be around each other.

It took me years to gather the courage to come back to Rose Town. The pain of leaving everything behind is still fresh in my mind, but I need to learn to let the past go. I haven't realized how much I've missed everyone until now, how much being here in this little house brings me peace and contentment.

I won't lie and say it's going to be easy to be around Matt because there's an obvious pull between us that is just hard to be ignored. But I came here for Gran, so that's the person I should focus on.

Her house is old and in need of a good renovation. I didn't know the state of some things was this bad until now. She's stubborn and proud and won't easily accept my help, which raises the question of how I'm going to help her.

Unfortunately, I only have ten days here to convince her and there's only one person who can help me with that. Matt. She loves him like family, so I'm going to use it in my favor.

Two against one and all that.

As soon as we approach the house, Gran comes in our direction. "Thank you again for everything, Matt. Would you like something to drink or anything?"

"My pleasure, Lola." He kisses the back of her hand. "But I gotta go."

"All right, honey. Thanks again for always having my back." She gives a warm smile.

"Right back at you." He winks, making his way to his car.

"I'll see you inside in a second, Gran." I wave at her and start jogging to catch up with him. "Hey, Matt."

He turns to me, his eyes curious. "Yeah?"

"Can we talk in private for a second before you leave?" I ask, my heart racing when he frowns.

"Hop in." He opens the door of his car for me, and I can't help but raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"I was thinking we could talk here..."

"You want private?" he says, his eyes full of humor. "Let's go for a ride."

I stand up taller, my arms crossing over my chest. "Not really sure if it's a good idea."

He leans on the car, a little smirk playing on his lips. "You're afraid to go for a ride with me?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" I scoff, my head shaking as I try to think about a smart reply.

When I can't, I end up getting inside the car.

Amused, he loops around the car and turns the key in the ignition. "Still so easy to get you worked up, Jen..."

"Where are we going?" I ask, looking through the window.

"How long are you staying in town?" he asks instead of answering me.

"About ten days." I turn to him, but his eyes are glued to the road. "This is what I actually wanted to talk to you about. Gran's house needs some renovations, but she won't accept my money..."

"What are you saying?" He skips a glance at me.

"I want your help." I let out a quick breath, and he raises his eyebrows. "You could pretend you're just trying to help her around for the party while we tackle the big stuff around her place. The roof on the back porch, the bathroom downstairs..."

"You want me to lie to her?" He parks the car in front of an old creek, making me roll my eyes.

"Really, Matt?" I say once he leaves the car and starts walking down the stone path that leads to a secluded area.

This place is breathtaking, with lush green trees and smooth grey stones surrounded by vibrant and fragrant flowery bushes. It's also so full of memories for us. I already regret getting in the car with him.

Exhaling a deep sigh, I reluctantly exit the car.

"Matt..." I breathe when he turns around to look at me.

"What do you need?" he asks.

"I don't want you to lie to her, but you know her well enough to know she won't take my money. I've been offering to help her for years..." I look into his eyes, and he swallows hard, maybe finally getting how important this is for me.

"I'll do it."

"Then-"

"But I have a condition." He gets closer, his body towering over mine.

"I'm sorry?" I shake my head, already counting to ten in my mind. I had forgotten how easily he can get on my nerves.

"Let's spend some time together every day while you're here. No bullshit, just you and me catching up." His head leans down, and I can feel my lips instinctively parting in anticipation.

"Matt, I can't." I try to look away, but he touches my chin, holding my gaze.

"I'm not over you." He holds my waist, awakening my body back to life. "No matter how hard I tell myself I am. I take one look at you and it's all I need to know that I still want you."

My breath catches in my throat. "Nothing's changed, Matt."

"You ran away, and I lost both the love of my life and my best friend on the same fucking day, Jen." His hand slides up my back, pulling me close to him.

"It's been ten years..." I try to control my breathing, but it's just too hard to get my body to cooperate when he's so close like this.

"So, what's ten days, huh?" He licks his lower lip, and I gasp when I feel his lips touching the sweet spot behind my neck.

"You're..." I moan when I feel him biting my shoulder, the slight pressure enough to make me forget why this is such a bad idea.

"Hmmm..." He kisses a trail from my neck up to my jaw.

My hands go up to his abs, and I sigh when I feel them flexing. I need to stop this, to put some distance between us, but my brain is having a really hard time understanding all that.

"God, I missed you so much." He kisses my jaw and I let out a small whimper as I feel myself surrendering to his touch.

The ringing of his phone startles us, like a bucket of cold water thrown on our faces.

"Fuck!" He rakes his fingers through his hair when I pull away.

"You should take that..." I murmur before walking back to his car.

Damn it, I hate that my body has no willpower when it comes to this man.

My heart is pounding in my chest as I recall the feeling of his lips on my skin and the way he held me close to him. No other man has ever made me lose control like that. His words were like a spell cast on me. His scent was a like a drug I can't seem to get enough of. One look. One touch is all it took, and I was ready to kiss him.

God! What am I doing?

I spent ten years avoiding this man and the memories we made in this town together. Ten years trying to convince myself I'd made the right choice by leaving him.

Now, I see him again, and then what? Allow myself to get caught up in a stupid physical attraction? He's still the same Matt who refused to think outside this damn town. The same selfish, stubborn Matt who was not able to put me first when he once said I was his whole damn world.

I'm about to get inside the car when I feel his presence behind me. "Stop overthinking things, Jen." He uses one hand to hold the door, preventing me from getting inside.

"I'm not doing this with you, Matt." I keep my eyes on the car but sigh when I feel the heat of his body pressing against my back.

"You were happy here, Jen," he whispers, his voice breaking.

"Until the day I wasn't." I turn to him and my heart breaks at his watering eyes.

"I should've done things differently." He swallows hard. "But I was hurt and angry, too. Fuck it, Jen! You lied to me! You said you were going to wait until we had saved some money to apply for college. You didn't want a fucking loan on your back, either. We had a fucking plan, and you just threw everything away."

"I asked you to come with me." I blink hard, willing myself not to cry.

"And do what!? You had a room, and about a thousand bucks saved. And I was fucking broke! Where would I enter in this story?" He shakes his head, resentment pouring off him.

"You had me. We could've made it work, but you just took off to God knows where on the day I left." I raise my chin, daring him to say anything.

"You left without saying goodbye." He touches my face, running his thumb under my eyes and ignoring my statement.

I haven't realized I was crying until now, so I need to take a deep breath before speaking again. "My heart is still broken," I whisper, the truth I've been holding inside for so long finally coming out.

"Give me these ten days, Jen," he pleads.

"I'm leaving again, Mat. My life is not here." I shake my head, and he flinches as if I've just slapped him.

"Ten days. That's all I'm asking." He touches his forehead to mine and for God knows what reason that's my undoing.

"Matt..."

"Please." he breathes, sighing in relief when I freaking nod yes.

-----

A/N: Oh, Matt... *sigh* Would you have nodded yes too?

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Celeste