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“Who was it?”

Wynter’s chin trembles, and she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “You, Joshua. It’s always been you.”

I exhale a relieved breath. I’ve waited to hear these words from her for over a year. I didn’t think I ever would.

“I left Wyatt. Told him it was over last Christmas, actually.” She rolls her eyes. “Probably not the Christmas present he expected.”

I don’t say anything. I knew their divorce was finalized this past summer. But I didn’t know she’d ended things back then.

Less than forty-eight hours after I begged her to choose herself.

“But I didn’t divorce him for you. I did it for me.” She smiles at the little girl, brushing her fingers over the baby’s cheek. “And for Hannah. That’s why I left Sycamore Falls.” Her blue eyes find mine. “Why I’ve waited this long to come back. I thought if I stayed here, I’d be replacing one life with another. I needed to be on my own. Needed to make my own decisions. My own choices. I needed to build my own life before I could even think about building one with someone else.”

“Have you?” I ask in a barely audible voice.

“I have.” A tear slips down her cheek. “It’s not perfect. But it’s mine.”

A warmth spreads through my chest. “I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy for me, too.”

Her smile looks different now. It’s stronger. More authentic. Not something she’s doing to make everyone think she’s okay. It’s for her.

“None of this would have been possible if it weren’t for you.”

“Me?”

“I probably would have stayed with Wyatt just for Hannah. Would have kept sacrificing my needs for what I thought was right. Or what was expected of me. But when I was with you, I wasn’t trying to be anyone’s wife. Or the perfect daughter. Or the woman I thought I was supposed to be. I was just…me. And over the past year I’ve realized something.”

She takes another step toward me, and I do the same, our bodies so damn close. Closer than they’ve been in over a year.

“What’s that?”

“I like who I am.” She peers into the distance before returning her eyes to mine. “I think that’s why I waited. Because I wanted to be able to say that before…”

“Before what?”

She licks her lips. “Before asking if you might find it in your heart to give me a second chance.”

I open and close my mouth several times, but no words come. Because the truth is, I can’t give her what she’s asking for.

“I’m sorry, Wynter. But I can’t⁠—”

“It’s okay,” she rushes out, a nervous laugh escaping. “I don’t blame you. If I were⁠—”

“I can’t give you a second chance,” I cut in, stepping toward her. “Not if we never really had a first chance.”

Her head snaps up. “What do you mean?”

“You said it yourself. You spent the last year becoming who you are. How could we have a second chance when I’ve never been with the woman you are today?”

Standing back, I extend my hand toward her. “I’m Joshua Levine. I’m twenty-six years old and work as the head groundskeeper here at Holley Ridge. I love a good beer, my favorite color’s blue, and I hate football.”

She swipes away a tear that had fallen, then shifts Hannah in her arms before reaching for my hand.

“My name is Wynter Hayes.” Her fingers slide into mine. “I’m a single mom to an amazing little girl, which takes up most of my free time.” She beams at Hannah before looking my way again. “I love to dance…and I also hate football.”

“It’s really nice to meet you, Wynter Hayes.”