Coming back || Sequel to Summer Romance

15 | Hopefulness

Tony looked at me with the same loving eyes I remembered from all of those years ago. It didn't seem real, all that we have gone through, and this very moment felt longer than the years of suffering that he left me with when he decided he was going to leave. I wasn't sure where this night would take us, but I was sure of one thing. 

I was still in love with Tony Stark. 

It was late at this point; much later than I anticipated on sitting in an ice cream shop, but the fact that I was here with him meant more to me than words could express. 

We didn't even have to talk. We just had to look at each other and with that, we knew exactly what we wanted to say. Or at least, what I hoped he would say to me. I knew that most of this was delusions. He probably wanted to be nice and take me out for ice cream, but my mind couldn't help but encourage me to think it was more. It wanted me to think that Tony felt the same; that the spark was there and he felt it as deeply as I did. 

But alas, all things must come to an end. The silence did as he spoke, taking a deep breath and setting his hands on his knees. 

"It's around dinner time and Ashley should be getting home pretty soon. I think we should head back to my place." He stated, smiling softly and preparing to stand up. 

Back then, he'd tell me we should go back to his place because of some amorous feeling, but this time it was different. I had to cope with that. I needed to figure out a way to move on from the overwhelming feelings I had. 

"Yeah, we should start heading back." I smiled softly, and I stood up and followed close behind to his car.

I couldn't get over the overwhelming pit in my stomach. As I sat in the passenger seat, I just took everything in. I stared at him longer than I probably should've, and I know that he noticed because he was looking back at me. My heart skipped a beat when he looked at me that way; it was the same look he gave me the first time he kissed me. I remember it all so vividly. It was before everything was so complicated and before he fell out of love with me. 

It felt like we had been looking at each other for hours, but in reality 30 seconds in, he looked away and started the car. I couldn't just look away like he did. I felt words start to come up, and I did something that I didn't think I would.

"Tony, stop. Wait." 

He paused and looked at me with a soft gaze. No words came up. My mind was racing, and I could hear my heart beating out of my chest. 

He stared at me blankly, waiting for me to say something.

Come on, Pete. Say something...

I took a deep breath and looked into the eyes that drew me in years ago.

"Tony, I can't keep pretending like this. I wish you didn't come back into my life. I am unconditionally, and pathetically in love with you. I have been for years. It's so hard seeing you in love with someone else. If you don't want me, please just tell me to go and never come back." 

He looked back towards the windshield. He didn't say a word, and started backing out of the parking lot. 

~~

Kaleb actually updated this book?? WHATT??