The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 5 I couldn't help but want to curse. Who said Winston was cold and dignified? He was even more audacious than the laid-back Alex!

But I made it clear to him that I wasn't interested in a relationship, and even if we slept together, I wouldn't take responsibility. One heartbreak in seven years was enough; a second would be the death of me.

After that, Winston never crossed any boundaries. He stayed by my side quietly, walking me home every evening as the sun set.

When I hit roadblocks in my designs, locking myself away and tirelessly working on revisions, he would precisely point out the issues. And when my work won first prize in a major competition and earned award after award, he congratulated me with a bouquet of purple roses.

Three years flew by, and Winston had seamlessly transitioned from a friend to a boyfriend - a decision I made after much thought. I finally agreed at a friend's gathering. I was late, eerily similar to the past, and overheard his friends teasing him.

"Winston, it's been years. Are you just going to wait around for Vivian? Not looking at other girls?"

"I used to think he wasn't into women, but turns out he's been smitten for a while."

Winston's low, cool laugh responded, "Yeah, I'm not looking at anyone else. If I can't fall for even one, how could I like several? I wouldn't waste anyone else's time."

"Don't give me that," he replied with a smirk. "I'm happy to let her hold me up. I'd wait for her my whole life if I had to."

It felt like his words let a little sunshine into my closed-off heart.

Down by the apartment building, I looked at Winston, "I heard what you said to your friends before I arrived." Winston froze for a moment, and I continued, "Don't push me away. Liking you is my choice; you don't need to feel pressured."

"Winston, are you going to confess to me?"

"What?" He was startled, then his eyes brightened. "Vivian, are you serious? I love you. I really, really love you!" His eyes turned misty, and he hugged me gently.