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“So this is where you live?”

“Doesn’t live up to your expectations?”

“Oh, that’s not what I meant at all. Sorry, foot in mouth is kind of how I live my life.” Her cheeks redden. “It’s not what I expected, but it is one of those places that just feels—comfortable. You know what I mean?”

Pride swells in my chest, but I beat it back down. Whether she likes it or not doesn’t matter. I study the space alongside her. My made bed in the corner, the small kitchen, and the couch that serves both as my living and dining room. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

“Well, I think it’s great. I never needed much space, either.” She smiles at me, and there is no judgement in her gaze. Just honesty.

It’s refreshing.

“Space is overrated.”

She snorts. “Until you’re confined to a hospital room.”

I run a hand over the back of my hair. “It should only take me a few minutes. Then we can get going. Glasses are in the cabinet off to the right of the sink, and the water is filtered so it’s safe to drink.”

“I’m okay, but thanks.”

“Yeah.” I force my gaze away from the beautiful stranger in my house and grab some clothes from my closet before heading into the bathroom and shutting the door. Once inside, I take a moment to grip the sides of the sink and just breathe.

Lord, grant me strength and discernment. Help me to see the truth even when I’m blinded by my own feelings. Please don’t let what happened last time happen again. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

I open my eyes and study my reflection.

If I look hard enough, it’s not difficult to see the boy behind the man.

The one I was before everything went wrong.

Occasionally, I’ll still feel a bit of his joy, but then the past rears its ugly head and snuffs that light out.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been alone with a woman I was attracted to.

On purpose.

Angie taught me exactly what happens when I let attraction override instinct. And it’s a mistake I don’t intend to make again.

Ever.

After cranking on the shower, I strip off my clothes and step beneath the hot spray.

It hits my skin—the kind of burn that hurts so good after the gym. Zane had me worked over pretty good before Alan walked in. Honestly, had we not been interrupted, I’m sure he would have had me on my back in a matter of seconds. My head just wasn’t in it.

Because every rational thought was on the woman currently in my living room. Zane’s words echoed the entire time I was in that ring, as did my own belief that she really is a victim in all of this.

But fear is a powerful thing. And my greatest fear is reverting to the boy I was before one mistake ripped him right out of me.

Freshly showered and dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and motorcycle boots, I step back out into the main part of my cabin. Dahlia is standing at the back patio doors overlooking the seating area I placed between my place and the edge of the wilderness preserve.

She looks a million miles away, and when she doesn’t immediately turn toward me, I wonder if she even heard me come out.

What is she thinking about?

The loss of her memory?

The danger she might be in?

The patient she lost?