She sighs. “Okay. That’s fair. Let’s go.”
After stepping out of the truck, I swing her door open and catch her waist, lifting her down with ease. Her palm lands against my chest in a playful swat, catching me off guard, but damn if it doesn’t make me grin.
Our steps fall into sync as her fingers slip into mine. I squeeze her hand gently, grounding myself in the warmth of her touch, not ready to let go just yet.
“Goodnight, Juliette. Make sure you tell Rose I was the perfect gentleman,” I jest, hoping to hear her laugh one last time before she goes inside.
She quirks her brow. “If that was a gentleman back in the truck, I can’t wait to see younot beso gentlemanly.”
She throws me one last teasing look that sets something inside me roaring to life. Her fingers wave in a slow goodbye before the door clicks shut behind her, and I stand there, frozen.
Who am I kidding? I’ve been in too deep since the momentshe walked into my life. I can lie to myself all I want, but the truth is, I’m hooked.
I shift my stance, suddenly painfully aware of the pressure building between my thighs. Damn it. I can lie to myself all I want, but it’s too late. She’s under my skin, and no amount of distance or logic will ever change that.
Still, there’s this gnawing feeling in my gut, warning me that we’re barreling toward something that could wreck us if we’re not careful. If I had any sense, I’d walk away before it’s too late. Step back, take the easy way out.
But right now, I’m not that man. I’m not thinking about easy. I’m thinking about her. And whatever this is, wherever it’s going, I’m not letting it slip through my fingers. Not without trying.
I’ve been dodgingthis conversation, but I can’t keep avoiding it, especially not after tonight.
My house is too quiet compared to just an hour ago. The contrast makes the dread settle heavier in my chest, like I hauled it in with me and dropped it right here on the living room floor.
With a resigned sigh, I tap the familiar number into my phone. He never lets calls go unanswered, no matter how late they are.
“Hey, pal!” Finn’s voice is chipper as always.
“Hey, Finn,” I greet him, doing my best to sound normal but failing miserably. “What’s up?”
There’s a loud, chaotic commotion in the background. “Living the dream, as usual. Hey! Don’t throw that!” He shuffles around for a second before he’s back on the line. “Sorryabout that. Kids are still awake somehow. They were supposed to be in bed an hour ago. Elsie’s wrangling them. What’s going on with you?”
Finn’s the kind of friend who knows me better than I know myself sometimes. We’ve been through it all together, so when I call, he knows it’s never a casual chat. There’s usually a problem brewing, and more often than not, it’s something legal.
“I’m done, Finn. I just want to get this over with,” I say, frustration seeping through my words. “Let’s give Hallie whatever the hell it is she’s demanding and wrap this up.”
There’s a pause before Finn’s voice crackles through. “Woah, hold up, Knox. No way in hell. As your attorney, I gotta tell you that’s ill-advised. And as your friend, I have to ask… Are youfeckingmad?”
I lean back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. “No, I’m not. I’m just done. This has been dragging on for over a year, and I can’t keep going like this. I need it over. Now.”
I can practically hear Finn’s skepticism crackling through the line. His tone shifts, edged with concern. “All right, what’s going on? Why the sudden urgency? You know we have to handle this the right way. She doesn’t deserve a damn thing, which is exactly why we’ve been fighting this long.”
I drag a hand down my face, exhaling hard. “I can’t do it anymore, Finn. I can’t keep being tied to her. I need out.”
The silence stretches between us for a beat before he asks, “Is this about another woman?”
“It’s about moving the hell on,” I grit out, rubbing a hand along the back of my neck.
There’s another pause, then that dry, knowing scoff of his. “So, that’s a yes. When did this happen?”
I take a long, measured breath. “It is and it isn’t. There’s someone who’s made me realize I can’t keep living like this.”
It sounds like a half truth even to me. And hell, maybe it is.Because before Juliette, I was fine letting this continue on forever.
“Aye, I don’t know, Knox. I mean, I don’t disagree with you, but we’ve worked too long and hard to protect you for it to end like this.”
I can’t help the laugh that slips out, even though I know this is serious. The absurdity of the situation, and Finn, of all people, talking about long and hard, breaks the tension for a moment.
“Long and hard, aye?” I tease, barely holding it together.
