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Now, she needs to prove them.

I head home.

At least, that’s where I’m supposed to be going.

Somehow, ten minutes later, I’m pulling into Blair’s driveway.

I need her to hear this from me before Hartwell has a chance to turn it into something it isn’t.

I sit behind the wheel for a moment, staring at her front door.

I hope she doesn’t leave because of this.

* * *

I knock once on Blair’s door and hear her footsteps approaching.

She opens it with a smile. “Well, isn’t this a nice sur—”

The smile slips as she takes in my expression.

“Dean?” Blair tightens her grip on the door. “What’s wrong?”

“Courtney’s back.”

I probably should’ve waited until she invited me inside before blurting it out, but I couldn’t help myself.

Blair’s expression tightens. “Oh.”

“Yeah.”

She studies me for another second before stepping aside. “Come in. We shouldn’t be having this conversation on my front porch.”

The small smile she gives me is strained, but I hold on to it anyway.

Once we’re sitting in her living room, Blair turns toward me.

“What does she want?” she asks.

“She says she wants another chance with Aspen.” I rest my forearms on my knees and stare at the floor. “She wants to be her mom again.”

“And do you believe her?”

“I want to,” I admit, meeting Blair’s eyes. “For Pen.”

Blair nods slowly. “Okay.”

Okay?

I frown at her. “That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say, Dean?”

“I don’t fucking know.” I push a hand through my hair. “Something.”

“She’s Aspen’s mom,” Blair says carefully. “If Courtney genuinely wants to be part of her life, then Aspen deserves the chance to know her.”

I stare at her.