“Good.” She slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. The edges were slightly worn, and his name was written on the front in her usual neat handwriting. “This is for you.”
“What is it?”
“A letter. Don’t read it now. Read it when you’re leaving Misty Peak, on the plane or something.”
He slipped the note from her fingers, every part of him wanting to open it and read it there and then.
“I’m going to go back to the party.” She squeezed his leg before rising and moving away.
Just like every other time she left him, his legs twitched to go after her, even if it was just to be near her.
He didn’t. His gaze shifted down to the piece of paper in his hand. Though small, it felt heavy and important.
Screw it.
He unfolded the paper, and the second he did, he let her words weave into his soul. Words about how proud she was of him, dedicating his life to saving others. Of how much she’d miss him, but that she understood he needed to go.
It was the last line, though, that had him pausing. Had him reading again and again.
You’re too loved to lose.
Loved. The word almost hurt to read.
Because he didn’t feel worthy of her love. Not yet.
CHAPTER 1
Present Day
Elle couldn’t move. Her hand literally wouldn’t reach for the car door handle. Because there, sitting in the very bakery she’d planned to go to, was Jace Walker.
She should be braver than this, right? So she’d loved the guy fifteen years ago. Fifteen years was a long time. She was older now. More mature. She looked completely different. Felt completely different. Basically, she wasn’t the chubby, insecure teenager anymore, so she had no reason to hide from him.
Then why was she sitting in her car like a hostage, seriously considering going back home?
Was he still cute? Sure. Okay, maybe not cute. Freaking gorgeous, with the widest shoulders she’d ever seen and dimples that cut the breath right out of her.
But she was an adult. A freaking adult. And shedid notlove Jace Walker anymore.
With an emphatic nod, she climbed out of her car and walked toward the bakery.
The windows allowed her to see everyone inside, exactly how she knew he was in there, but she didn’t look at him through the glass, and she certainly didn’t look at him as she stepped inside.Maybe it was immature of her, or just weak, but she was very careful to keep her eyes away from the spot where he sat with one of his brothers.
Mrs. Sandler stepped up to the counter opposite her. “Hi, Elle, how are you?”
“Oh, you know, just trying to enjoy a rare day off work.” She usually loved what she did. She ran a small café at the visitors center in the mountains, and she was good at it. Her customers loved her. She made a killer coffee. But lately she’d just been feeling like she needed time off.
Mrs. Sandler offered an understanding smile. “We all need a break sometimes. What can I get you?”
“A caramel latte would be wonderful.”
“Won’t be long.”
Mrs. Sandler walked to the coffee machine and Elle turned, only to gasp at the huge chest blocking her vision.
Holy crack on a cracker. Jace. He was there. Right freaking there, dimples and everything.
Not affected, Elle, remember?
