Good.
Control mattered.
Especially now.
“Tessa.”
The clippers froze in my hand.
Every muscle in my body tightened instantly.
No.
Not yet.
I closed my eyes briefly before finally looking up.
Ace stood just inside the doorway, broad shoulders tense beneath his jacket, eyes locked completely on me.
He looked different.
Not angry.
Certain.
And somehow that scared me more.
“I said I’m closed.”
“I know.”
“Then leave.”
“No.”
My grip tightened around the clippers. “Ace—”
“I found something.”
The words hit like ice water.
I went completely still.
“No,” I said immediately, turning back toward the flowers too quickly. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Because something in his voice told me exactly what this was.
Hope.
And hope was dangerous.
“You’re going to hear it.”
“I said no.”
“Tessa.”
“Stop.” I spun toward him sharply. “Whatever you think you found, whatever you think you know—just stop.”
