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The baby isn’t due late April, but early March. I’ve tacked on the extra time knowing that he’d work back from the true due date and realize that the baby is his. This way, there’s no question. No guilt that will drive him to return, to abandon his dreams for a life he clearly does not want to live. For a woman who is obviously second place to the game that lights a fire in his soul.

If she meant anything to him, he’d already have been here.

I’m closing this chapter of life for both of them. “I love her, Holt. I love her like you love her—and I’m so goddamned sorry that this is how life played out. I’m sorry.”

With nothing more to say, I disconnect.

Emotions are popping off inside my chest. Guilt and relief and everything in between.

A text comes through, Faye’s name lighting up my screen.

Is everything okay? You’re normally home by now…

Home. She called the apartment home.

Somehow, over the last month, the walls we share has become home. It gives me hope that eventually, one day, I might become home to her, too.

Just hit the parking lot. Be right up.

11

SHE HAS ME

NOVEMBER 2009 – 20 YEARS OLD

Misty plumes of white puff from between pink lips as she hurries down the trail. The light snow grows heavier, falling faster with every passing minute. Flakes fall in the tangles of her hair, clinging to long lashes. The sound of her laughter sparking my own, blending into the crunch of our boots in the fresh snow.

She’s beautiful, with her cheeks bitten by the cold and her eyes bright with a happiness I haven’t seen since…

I’m not going there.

“Hurry!” There’s a sweet little thrill in her cry. “We’re losing light.”

She’s being dramatic.

And she’s clearly not finished with her dramatics as she adds, “We could freeze to death, Tate!”

I love when she says my name.

“Naw.” I keep pace with her easily. “I’d find us a cave to keep warm in.”

“Are you also going to build us a fire out of sticks and stone?” She pants breathlessly. I love the sound of her breathless and happy.

She’s so alive.

“Who needs a fire when you’ve got body heat?” I tease.

Her head swings my way, and I laugh at the expression she wears as we break into the parking lot at the base of our hike. She’s about to throw me more sass, and I can’t wait to hear it before her boot connects with a patch of ice and a shriek peels from between her lips.

Before she goes down hard, I catch her in my arms. Her back slams into my chest as I steady her, my arms wrapped around her stomach.

I don’t want to let her go.

The scent of her reminds me of fall. Warm and quietly soothing, like peach cobbler and spiced vanilla ice cream.

I want to taste her.

My voice sounds rough between us as I tease, “You didn’t have to play damsel for my body heat, sweetheart. All you had to do is ask.” Her sharp inhale is enough to boil my blood. I add darkly, “You know I’d give you anything.”