If I Were Allowed To Love You

Thirty-Seven

"Are you really sure you're okay with us being mates?" Theo questioned.

"I never said I was okay with it," Melissa stated. "I am heartbroken. You need to understand that."

"Then I should probably look for somewhere else to stay," Theo nervously chuckled.

"Why are you kicking yourself out? I'm the guest."

"Yes, but I'm the asshole who is essentially stealing your fiancé from you. I think I should be the one to be kicked out."

"Yeah, well, you'll thankfully have somewhere to go."

Theo pulled up in front of the Waterfront hotel, and he glanced at her. The hotel wasn't incredibly fancy, but it was still expensive due to it having a pool with a hot tub. "No offense, Melissa, but I can't exactly afford this place."

"Just stay in here, and give me...ten-ish minutes before you head in and go to room 304."

"Ten-ish? 304? Who's here? Do I need to kick someone's ass as retribution for you?"

"No." She exited the car and said, "Lucas is here," before slamming the door shut.

Melissa walked up to the front desk and asked where room 304 was located. The receptionist pointed her in the right direction, and she took a deep breath before walking down the long hall to Lucas's room.

As she stood in front of the door, she took a moment to collect herself. She had no time to prepare her speech due to her mind remaining stuck on her conversation with Theo. It may have had to with the exact thing she needed to discuss with Lucas, but it was harder because it was him.

She wasn't entirely sure how he was going to react, but she knew it wouldn't be bad. More than anything, she afraid of how his eyes would stare at her. Would he be relieved? Overjoyed? She didn't know what look to expect, and the idea of him being glad to end it with her made her feel the need to vomit.

Knowing there was no way around it, she knocked on the door and waited a quick three seconds before Lucas opened the door. He stared at her, knowing it was her but still confused. "Hey."

"Hi."

"I didn't think I was going to see you for a while."

"I needed to talk to you. It's important."

Holding the door open for her, Melissa quickly walked in and sat on the edge of the bed. Lucas sat beside her and held her hand. "I'm not sure why you're here, but I'm assuming it has to do with Theo." He sighed when she nodded. "You have to know I don't want to keep thinking about him like this."

"I know."

"I love you."

"I know."

"Bring your stuff over tonight, and we'll start fresh here. I know we're taking a break, but knowing you're over there with him will cause me to think of him, and that's what I'm trying to avoid. One day, I'll see him like a friend like you do." He knelt in front of her and smiled. "I will always choose to be with you. I choose to love you. It will take some time, but we will get through this."

Melissa fell into her hands, sobbing loudly as Lucas pulled her head into his chest. He cooed, hushing her gently as he petted her hair and kissed the top of his head. She could feel his own tears drip onto the top of her head. "I love you so much," she whimpered. "So much more than you could possibly ever know or understand."

He chuckled softly. "I get it. I feel the same way about you."

"But there is still a part of you that is in love with Theo, isn't there? And you didn't realize it until you two kissed."