I sat for a few minutes, watching the mountain peaks in the distance, their blue silhouettes brushing against the wide Texas sky. I searched for clarity, for a sense of belonging. I tried to remind myself why I loved this town—reallyloved it.
The cozy, close-knit feelings.
The memories I created here with my family.
Logan.
But the list was shorter than I expected. These days, it felt like Faircloud gave me more reasons to ache than to smile.
When the edge of my anger finally dulled to a quiet hum, I started my truck and headed toward Petal Pusher. As I pulled onto Main Street, a spot opened up across from the shop, as if it had been waiting just for me.
I parked, turned off the engine, and glanced over athiscar still sitting inmyspot.
I could’ve keyed it. Slashed a tire. Found some other way for a petty little win.
But I didn’t.
Let him have it today.
Some battles weren’t worth fighting—not when I was still trying to win the war inside myself, the one I didn’t know if I could keep fighting on my own.
3
LOGAN
The bell above the door chimed as I stepped into Petal Pusher, the scent of roses and fresh-cut greenery wrapping around me like a familiar blanket. The blast of air-conditioning hit my sun-warmed skin.
Instantly, I smiled.
There she was.
Ellie stood behind the counter, head bent in concentration, blond hair falling across her cheek. She hadn’t even looked up at the sound of the door—so focused, soher.
I drew a slow breath, taking her in. No matter how much time passed, seeing her still hit me the same way—sharp and soft all at once.
“You ready to go, Ace?” I asked as I stepped forward, my boots scuffing quietly against the polished floor.
At the sound of my voice, her shoulders relaxed, and her whole body seemed to exhale. When she lifted her head, a soft smile tugged at her lips, as if I was the thing she needed most in that moment.
“Thank God it’s you,” she breathed, pressing one hand to the counter and popping a hip out. “I heard the door chime, but I didn’t have it in me to look up and force a smile.”
I chuckled, rounding the counter. She opened her arms without a word, and I folded her into a hug—tight, real, like we both needed it more than either of us would admit. My chin rested easily on top of her head. She fit against me—hell, she always had.
“Rough day?” I leaned back just enough to see her face.
“You could say that,” she replied with a small laugh, though the edges of it were tired. She stepped back.
“I can’t shake this feeling that everyone is still judging me,” she admitted out loud. Though her voice was a soft whisper.
Ellie’s face fell—flat, lifeless. It was as if the constant loop of overthinking had drained every last spark out of her. Ever since she’d come back to Faircloud, that shadow of judgment had followed her, and she couldn’t outrun it.
“There was a woman in here, someone I barely even knew, and I swear she was giving me the side eye. She leaned over to the other person she was with, and they both started mumbling.” Ellie’s voice tightened, rough at the edges. “I know they were talking about me, probably saying how stupid I am for coming back, how I should’ve seen the signs. Oooh!” She snapped her fingers at me. “Or maybe about how sorry they felt for me. I hate the pity.”
She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders curling inward.
“Hey.” I reached for her, hand brushing her forearm. “You don’t know it was about you.”
“You didn’t see the way they looked at me.” Her voice cracked. “It’s like I was some sob story and a damn joke all at once.”
