What if I ruined everything? What if he’s done with me?
Then I see Ben’s drawing again, and I remember what Henry told me:You’re not broken. You’re strong.
I grab my keys and run.
Chapter 20
Henry
It’smorning and my routine has taken over. I fold the sourdough, but the dough feels off. Stiff. A little crusty. Fuck, everything feels off.
My phone rings. It’s Jake. I hit the button and flour coats my phone.
“Hey, Jake. What’s up?”
“Hey, man. Heard from Mark that you’re having woman troubles.”
“Great. The small town gossipvine is alive.”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. Listen, that ex of hers? He’s been asking around about Willa. Making veiled threats about her medical license, her clinic. Sheriff Vacanti’s keeping an eye on him but thought you should know.”
White-hot rage floods through me. “Thanks for telling me.” I start untying my apron and throw it on the bench.
Sourdough can wait.
“You gonna sit around or you gonna do something?”
“I’m going to fucking do something.”
“If you need backup, let us know!”
I got this, Jake.
I hang up and grab my keys. I’m done waiting. I’m done letting fear dictate our lives.
I’m going to fight for her.
Chapter 21
Willa
I burstinto the bakery at six in the morning, and Henry’s coming out of the back. Of course he’s already working. But there’s no apron, and like he’s on a mission with his keys in his head.
“Willa—” He slides to a stop when he sees me.
“I’m not running,” I interrupt. “Not from Wally, not from this, not from you.”
He stops, flour on his hands, hope in his eyes.
I shake my head. “I spent two years making myself smaller to fit into his life. I’m not doing that anymore.” I cross the room to him. “You make me feel big, Henry. Like I take up the right amount of space. Like I matter.”
“Fuck. Willa you matter so?—”
“I love you.” The words burst out of me. “I love you and I love Ben, so much, and I’m terrified, but I’m not running. I’m staying and I’m fighting and I’m choosing us.”
His smile is brilliant. “I was coming to find you.”
“What?”
