I hear my phone buzz somewhere in the house, and my pulse spikes.
I snatch it off the coffee table before I can overthink it.
Jace:Home.
A second message comes through.
Jace:I meant what I said. I’m not leaving, just giving you time and space.
I stare at the screen until my eyes are stinging.
My thumb hovers over the keyboard.
I typethank you.
Delete it.
I typeI’m sorry.
Delete it.
Finally, I type the only truth I can manage without falling apart.
Me:Okay.
I stare at the message after I send it.
One word.
A whole storm contained in four letters.
I set the phone down and lean back into the couch, staring at the ceiling like it might give me answers.
It doesn’t.
But my heart keeps beating anyway.
And somewhere in the quiet, I realize the part that scares me the most isn’t what the town will say.
It’s what will happen if I let myself believe him.
Because if I let myself believe him…
Then there’s no safe way to stay untouched by this.
And I’m not sure I’ll survive wanting him the way I do.
Not again.
Not like this.
Chapter Twenty One
The Catalyst
Sierra
Itell myself it’s just coffee.
