He wore a flannel shirt and jeans, clothes chosen for usefulness, not appearance. When he looked up, his eyes—light and steady—met hers without hesitation. There was no tension in his expression. Just recognition.
He belonged to another version of her life. One she’d packed away and tried not to reopen.
He’d been her first love.
The man who’d taught her how safe the world could feel—and the man who’d shattered that illusion with one conversation.
This couldn’t be real.
She took a step back. Was this some sort of trap? What if Caleb and Garrick were working together?
But what sense would that make?
It wouldn’t.
Caleb would never partner with a man like Garrick.
Or would he? The manhadbroken her heart.
She squeezed her eyes shut as thoughts crashed inside her.
Memories stung at her—memories of late nights, of promises spoken like they’d last forever.
The quiet way their relationship had all ended, leaving her with questions she’d never been able to ask.
She opened her eyes as clarity struck.
Coming here had been a mistake.
She should leave. Pretend she hadn’t seen Caleb. Find somewhere else.Anywhereelse.
She tugged Biscuit closer to her car. “Come on, boy. We’ve got to go. We shouldn’t be here.”
“Millie?”
She stopped, her heart thumping in her ears.
Caleb remained standing where he was, hands visible, dog calm at his side. His gaze flicked briefly to her car, then back to her face.
“I didn’t know you were our new guest,” he murmured. “I know you’re surprised to see me—I’m surprised to see you also. But please don’t go. You’ll be safe here.”
Biscuit whined softly beside her, pressing against her leg as if sensing her tension.
She swallowed hard before saying, “I had no idea you were a part of this place.”
“I know. This is . . . unexpected. But please don’t leave. We have a room for you.”
Don’t leave?
Running was all she wanted to do.
She’d thought by coming here, she was making the right choice.
But now she was questioning everything.
chapter
two
