His voice stayed calm and sincere. “But I’m asking you not to pretend we weren’t real.”
Johanna’s eyes burned unexpectedly.
Because that was the problem.
Theyhadbeen real.
The kind of love that rooted itself deep enough to cause heartbreak.
The ocean stretched endlessly and dark beyond the restaurant windows while moonlight spilled silver across the restless water. Candlelight flickered softly between them, catching the sharp planes of Blaze’s face every time he moved.
Johanna suddenly couldn’t breathe properly.
Not after what he’d just said.
Not after hearing the truth laid bare so plainly in his voice.
“I’m not asking you to forget what happened.”
“But I am asking you to stop pretending we weren’t real.”
That man had always known exactly how to reach inside her defenses and pull at the softest places.
Johanna lowered her eyes to the half-empty wine glass in her hand because her emotions suddenly felt too exposed sitting this close to the surface.
The problem with Blaze had never been attraction. Chemistry between them had always existed, dangerous and undeniable from the beginning. Love had never been the issue either. The real problem was that Blaze made her feel everything too deeply.
And after he left Sheraton Beach, she spent years teaching herself how not to.
Outside, the coastal wind picked up hard enough to rattle the decorative lanterns hanging along the restaurant patio.
Neither of them spoke for several seconds, but the silence didn’t feel awkward. The weight of the moment settled between them instead, heavy with a past and things left unresolved too long.
Finally, Johanna exhaled softly. “You know what made me angriest?”
Blaze’s eyes never left her face. “What?”
“That you left…” Her voice wavered slightly before she steadied it. “And somehow I still understood why you had to.”
Pain crossed his face instantly.
Real pain.
Not defensive irritation or wounded pride. The emotion looked older than that. Regret lived there, worn deep enough to leave marks.
“Jo—”
“No.” She shook her head gently. “Let me finish.”
Blaze reared back and gave her the space without interrupting again.
That alone nearly unraveled her.
In the past, Blaze would have argued his side immediately. Younger Blaze had always fought hard for what he wanted, especially with her. This version listened first, and somehow that maturity affected her more than charm ever could.
Johanna swallowed hard before continuing.
“You had dreams,” she said quietly. “And I loved you enough not to ask you to stay.”
