Be a presentable lady. Never let them see you without makeup. Always look your best.
Why was that where my mind went? Austin was standing on the other side of the door, and instead of focusing on why he was here or how he even found me, all I could think about was how I looked.
It wasn’t about appearances. It was about being seen, really seen, when I felt so unprepared, so raw. Would he still want me like this—completely undone?
I thought he was with Nova and Scarlette.
“I’m opening the door,” he said softly, his voice sending a shiver down my spine as I heard the knob twist.
Mirror. I need a mirror. I need?—
My breath caught in my throat.
There he was, standing in the doorway, his eyes locking onto mine.
My heart raced, pounding so hard it felt like it might break through my chest. Heat crawled up my neck and cheeks as if my body couldn’t decide if it wanted to fight, flee, or just collapse under the weight of it all.
There was nowhere to hide and no wall to put up. Just his gaze, steady and searching, pinning me to the spot like he could see through all the layers I’d tried to wrap myself in.
And then there was the ache, the undeniable pull of being this close to him again. It hurt—God, it hurt—how much I’d missed him, how much I wanted him. But beneath the longing was the sharp edges of every doubt and fear I’d been carrying.
My stomach twisted as I scrambled out of bed, glancing around in a small panic—torn between wanting to run to him and wanting to push him away.
“Char,” he whispered, my name barely more than a murmur on his lips, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to say it.
“H-How?”
I stopped caring about what I looked like. My eyes were locked with his deep blues. God, I missed him. I missed everything about him.
“Your brother texted me when you got here, telling me you were safe. I have no idea how he got my number.”
I did. He was overprotective and did a background check, but that was neither here nor there.
“I was with Scarlette today, and all I kept thinking about was how I wanted to tell you about her.” He shook his head, almost in disbelief, before he walked a step closer to me. “I told her about you. I told her I was married, and she was so excited to meet you.”
Tears pricked the edge of my eyes.
“Your brother left for the city a few minutes ago. He said he had some business to take care of but gave me the code to the door and told me it was okay to come up.” He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. “I needed to tell you about today—in person.”
I nodded slightly, signaling I understood, but my body stayed rigid, my hands clenched into tight fists at my sides. I couldn’t move, frozen in place, every muscle locked.
“You came all the way here.” It wasn’t a question. It was his sacrifice for me.
“I—” He cleared his throat. “I failed you, Charlie. I’ve failed you, and I am so fucking sorry.”
The man standing in front of me was the same one I’d met that day at the lake, the one full of shame and regret, drowning in his apologies.
“You haven’t failed. I messed up. I ran away. It was everything I shouldn’t have done.” I stepped back, sinking ontothe edge of the bed. “I am so sorry. I should have been there, but... I failed.” I stared down at my hands, shaking my head.
“You didn’t fail, honey. You never fail me. It’s me. I ask you to put me first, over and over, and then I throw my life at you without even thinking about your feelings.”
He opened his mouth to continue, but I swallowed hard and cut him off. “No.” I patted the bed beside me, my heart pounding. “Sit. Let me explain.”
Austin nodded, his movements slow as he took a seat next to me.
“I-I was raised by a mother who consistently told me I was ugly and unattractive.”
“We’ve talked about that?—”
