“Still at Patty June’s. She texted last night. Said they’d keep her through breakfast.” I sit up slowly, careful not to spook her. “We have time.”
“Time for what?”
The question hangs between us, sharp and brittle. I know what she’s doing. I’ve seen it before. Hell, if I’m honest, I’ve done it before. That desperate scramble to rebuild defenses after you’ve let someone see too much. I’d recognize it anywhere. But this connection between us is different.
“Time to talk,” I say carefully. “About last night. About what you said.”
“What did I say?”
“You said you’d stay.”
She closes her eyes. When she opens them again, something has shifted. Hardened.
“I was lost in the moment. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”
The words land like a punch to the gut. I keep my face neutral, but inside, something cracks.
“Why not?”
“Because it was…” She waves a hand, searching for the word. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. You have to understand, I don’t do this. Ever. I don’t fall into bed with men I’ve known for two days and promise them things I can’t deliver.”
“Seemed pretty clear to me.”
“Walker.” She says my name like a warning, like I’m a witness she needs to control. “Last night was… incredible. I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t. But it doesn’t change anything.”
“That’s wrong. It changes everything.”
“No.” She shakes her head, retreating behind that polished mask. “It was sex. Really good sex. Amazing sex, but that’s all it can be. You know that. Come on, we both know that.”
I stare at her, trying to reconcile the woman in front of me with the one who came apart in my arms last night. The one who whispered I’m yours like she meant it. The one who looked at me like I was the answer to a question she’d been afraid to ask.
“You don’t believe that,” I say quietly.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. It matters what’s real.” She swings her legs over the side of the bed, keeping her back to me. “I have a life in California. A practice. Clients who depend on me. I can’t throw all of that away because of one night. In fact, I came here to bring my brother back into that world. The real world.”
“Hey, no one’s asking you to throw anything away.”
“Then what are you asking?” She turns, desperation flickering in her eyes. It’s fear, disguised as logic. “What do you want from me, Walker? A long-distance relationship? Weekend visits between court dates? You want me to uproot my entire life for a man I barely know?”
“I want you to give this a chance.” I keep my voice steady, even though everything inside me is screaming. “I want you to stop running long enough to see what’s right in front of you.”
But the armor is up. She’s too collected, and it shatters me.
“Walker, I’m not running. I’m being realistic.”
“You’re being a coward. But we can call it what you want.” I shrug.
Her chin lifts, eyes flashing. “Excuse me?”
“You’re scared, so you’re building walls and convincing yourself that leaving is the smart choice.” I close the distance between us. “But I’m not like anyone you’ve met before. I’m not going anywhere. The only person who’s going to break your heart here is you.”
Her eyes glisten. Then she blinks, and the tears vanish.
“I’m leaving today with or without Danner.” Her voice is flat. Final. “The roads are clear. I need to get back to my life.” She grabs my flannel from the floor and buttons it quickly. She won’t look at me. “I’m sorry I let things get so out of hand. I’ll get my things.”
She’s almost to the door when I speak again.
“I’m not sorry.”
