Page 4

It was a good thing he liked a challenge.

The door clicked.

Chloe stopped typing and tangled her shaking fingers together.

Oh, God, he was back.

Not only in New York. Here. In her second home, the place she poured her heart and soul into. He’d be working in her space, physically close. Late nights. Sharing take-out. Trapped. It was like a nightmare unveiling in gruesome slow motion, and no way to wake up.

What was she going to do?

Jumping to her feet, she grabbed her hot pink stress ball from her desk, squeezing madly as she paced. Her mother had once told her there was no such thing as coincidence, and everything happened in the universe to lead people to their destiny. She’d always loved the theory, holding it close to her heart when things seemed hopeless.

Now? She wanted to scream for her mother to explain what the hell this could possibly mean. Had she done something wrong to deserve punishment? Was this payback for a deeper crime in her past? Or was the universe just a big jokester, like the Greek gods of mythology moving humans around for their humorous entertainment?

Chloe groaned and squeezed harder. The mushy texture had just enough give to satisfy her. Out of all the cases, in all the world, why did he have to push into hers? She briefly considered telling Vivian she wanted out, but the idea of quitting and allowing him to win pissed her off. After all, he’d left her. He’d been the one who calmly told her they shouldn’t be friends and the break should be complete. He was the one who decided to show up in her office, talking about beloved memories, like everything was fine and they could easily become beer buddies.

Jerk. She fumed and paced, trying to follow the wild threads of her emotions. Had she been cool and calm enough? Had he glimpsed she’d wanted to fall to her knees in agony when she’d looked up to see him standing in front of her, broad shoulders framing the doorway, his thick, curly hair now tamed neatly back, dressed in a proper suit like a grown-up instead of a rebellious young guy who wanted to laugh, have fun, and tackle life as it came rather than make plans?

God, he’d changed. He seemed taller, more fit. Calm, as if he’d found his center and confidence over the years. He’d grown a goatee, the sexy scruff hugging his lush lips and framing his jaw. But it was his eyes that did her in. The palest summer sky blue. Always filled with laughter, a bit of mischief, and a naked admiration that made her feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. She’d found his crush sweet at first. He was two years younger, a freshman in college, and she’d never imagined seeing him as more than a friend or little brother type. Until that fateful dance at a wedding that changed everything.

Chloe pushed the memory out of her head. He had no right to march in here with those baby blues and throw her world into chaos. His gaze practically drilled into her, probing, searching for the girl she used to be with him. Chloe refused to give him even a hint of that girl ever again. He wasn’t allowed to demand anything from their past—he’d made his choice when she begged him, pride splintered helplessly around her, to stay. The scene still made her squirm with humiliation. Begging him to stay. Begging him to love her.

Hearing him say no. The resolute look on his face when he uttered the word, splintering her heart like a bullet. The way he’d never reached out, not even a drunken, lonely text to say he missed her and maybe he made a mistake. How many nights had she cried herself to sleep, cradling her aching chest to stop the pain?

Too many.

Slowly, she calmed. Chloe couldn’t allow him to step back into her life and throw it into ruins. She had everything she’d worked for: a great job with meaning, emotional stability, a close relationship with her father, friends, and the possibility of love one day. Owen’s presence hurt, but maybe it’d been the shock of seeing him when she wasn’t prepared. Now her defenses would be up and instilled. She’d keep her focus on the case. Her life didn’t have to change at all—this was just a small bump in the road. If she channeled her mother’s beliefs, maybe he’d been sent to finally lock the door of her heart and allow her freedom.

Maybe it was time to truly put her first love behind her. For good.

She placed the stress ball back in its place. Owen was here for work, plain and simple. He’d help with the case and then move on. New York was a big city so even if he lived here, it should be easy enough to avoid him. She refused to allow him to make her uncomfortable when he was the one who’d left. Chloe would treat him with professional respect and remain politely distant so he didn’t get any ideas. She’d channel all of her political training to keep herself safe, yet pleasant enough to do her job.

Satisfied with her empowering thoughts, she got back to work.

three

Owen watched her from his corner. She was a master multi-tasker, able to juggle a phone call while typing out an email, the buzz of energy visible around her aura. He remembered when they first began dating. His idea of a great night was kicking back with some illegally fetched beers, watching a baseball game on TV or hanging with his friends in the dorm or woods. Things were simple because he’d taught himself not to want anything.

Until he wanted Chloe. There’d never been a girl who’d struck him mute the moment he looked into her eyes. Suddenly, he wanted to be worthy of her attention. He’d spent that first summer on the Bishop rescue horse farm following her around, hanging on each word while she taught him the inner workings of the farm. Her passion and love for the animals, for the structure, for the goal of rescuing the abused and helpless, stirred his inner soul. But no matter what he did, she never looked at him the way he craved.

Once his community service was done, he’d returned to a life that no longer satisfied him. His friends suddenly struck him as lazy and unmotivated, their goals nothing but partying and finding ways to cause trouble for their own amusement. He began pulling back, searching for his own identity and a replacement for Chloe. He wanted to feel good again. Important.

Needed.

He got his shit together that year, and when he saw her again at Mia and Ethan’s wedding, she finally gave him a second glance. One slow dance had sparked a new connection—one more of equals—and he’d used that moment to build a foundation, intent on showing Chloe he could be a man worthy of her attention.

And he’d succeeded.

Owen would have bet everything she’d be the one to break his heart one day. He’d prepped for the event the whole time, because inside, he knew he wasn’t enough for her. Not long term.

Instead, he’d ended up breaking her heart and having to live with the awful knowledge for four long years.

It was time to not only make amends, but get her to see why it was necessary to leave her.

“Owen, I have to go soon—did you get all the necessary vet records you asked for? Dr. Weathers said he’d be happy to meet with you again to be a witness.”

He shook his head to clear his thoughts of the past. “Yes, thanks. I’ll reach out.”