Page 113

"What?"

"You think you can show up after 15 years and suddenly decide you know me?"

His jaw tightens.

"I never stopped knowing you."

The words stop me. The yard goes silent.

"You left."

"I know."

"You’re not allowed to say things like that."

"I know."

"Then stop acting like everything is still the same."

His expression changes. Pain. Real pain.

"I don't think it's the same."

His voice lowers.

"I think we lost 15 years we can never get back."

I do what I always do. I push.

"Don’t protect me because you feel guilty."

His eyes flash.

"Don't pretend you don't want me to."

The words hang between us. Too honest. Too true.

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out. Because the worst part is…

He's right. The anger is real. The hurt is real. But so is everything else. The pull. The connection. The impossible familiarity. The part of me that still knows him.

Rhett takes one step closer.

"Carys."

I should move away. I don't. His hand closes around my arm. Not harsh. Not controlling.

Just stopping me from running from the conversation. My pulse jumps.

"You always run when something matters."

"That's not fair."

"No."

His voice is rough.

"It's accurate."