Of course they’re behind this. Bastards. “You knew this?”

He chuckles, and I picture him shaking his head. “Yup.”

So he’s on board with Zach? That makes no sense. Daddy liked him just fine, but when he broke my heart and left me in Maine, Zach lost any respect my father had for him. He’s a proud man, and his little girl was taken from him—in his mind—and abandoned.

“We’ll talk about this when I come home.”

“Sure, we will.” I hear him laugh through his nose. “You callin’ to talk to the boys?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“They’re out with Cooper. He took them to his place for the night. Said he figured you’d call and to quit worrying. They’re fine.”

I groan. “We’ll see how—” I start to say before catching myself. It wasn’t Cooper’s fault. And he would never let them wander off again. “Never mind. You sure you can’t come get me? Keep me away from these Hennington boys.”

“I tried that for half your life, baby girl. It didn’t work then, and it ain’t gonna work now. You let your brother spend time with his nephews without you interfering. He clears his throat, and I wait for what he’s going to say next. “You be careful out there and I’ll see you tomorrow.” He hangs up before I can say anything.

That’s one thing about Forrest Townsend. When he’s done, he’s done.

I check my phone and see a text.

Cooper: Enjoy your night.

Me: You did this.

Cooper: You said you wanted out of the office.

Me: Asshole. I didn’t mean a night in a field with your staff.

Cooper: Brat.

Me: I hate you.

Cooper: I hate you more.

I laugh at the infantile text messages. I’ve missed my brother. He was always protective, even if he idolized Zach. He would get in his face if I cried or was angry. Zach could’ve beaten him to a pulp, but he would let Cooper yell and threaten him. It would make me fall more in love with Zach to see him give Cooper a sense of strength.

“Can’t hide forever.” Zach’s voice startles me. His hands glide up my back and rest on my shoulders.

“I’m not hiding.”

His fingers dig and rub into my neck, relieving the tension. “If you say so,” he says and continues to massage me.

I close my eyes and let some of the stress go. His touch allows me to relax. I feel safe in his hands. Even if for so long I’ve told myself that’s the last thing I could be. I was so young. We were so stupid to think we could have it all and it would cost us nothing. Life doesn’t care if you’re in love, there’s always a price for happiness, we were just unwilling to pay.

“Do you think we have a real shot, Zach?”

He stops and his front presses against my back. His arms wrap around my shoulders as I hold on to him. “I think all of this happened for something. There’s a reason you’re in my arms right now. A reason that I didn’t make choices that would’ve prevented it. Me blowing out my shoulder, you having to come back here, it’s for something. And if it’s not for us, then why?”

My hands cinch around his forearms as I mull over what he said. “I can’t make sense of Todd, though.”

“I don’t know why either. Were you happy?” His voice strains a little.

“I thought so. I know this isn’t easy to listen to.” I turn to face him.

He cups my face and looks at me with so much compassion I almost can’t take it. “Presley, you were married. You had two boys. I left you almost sixteen years ago. It would be ridiculous for me to think you didn’t have a life or love.”

My eyes fill with tears. “But to think of Felicia and you . . .” I take a step back.

“You have to trust me. The only way we’re ever going to know is if we’re honest. Does it suck to know another man has touched you? Yes.” Zach moves closer. “Do I want to think about the fact that he was there for you because I left? No.” My fingers clasp his wrist. “But God help me, Presley. I’ll listen to it all. I want to know it all. The good, the bad, the happy, the sad, and then I want the rest.”

A tear descends as my guard falls. “I’m afraid I’ll never heal. I don’t know how to heal.”

The anger that lives inside me has prevented any forward progress. Todd robbed me of everything I knew. My home, my friends, Angie, any financial freedom I had. We lost everything because of him. I lost my husband too, though. It hurts to know all the things we’ve shared are now just memories. He wasn’t mean or unfaithful. He was the man who held my hand through thirty-six hours of labor. He stood by me when I decided to open my business. There’s a part of him that, no matter how angry I am, will claim a special place inside of me.

Zach has never had to love me when part of my heart belonged to someone else.

“I don’t expect you to forget about him.” The pain in his voice is hidden well, but I see it in his eyes. “He’s a part of you. And you’re already healing, you have to let it happen.”

“I’ve loved you since I can remember. I’ve never been able to stop, and I never will. But you’re going to have to be patient.” My voice quivers. Everything inside me is playing tug‑of‑war. I want him, I don’t want to. I love him, I shouldn’t. He could heal me; he could break me. All of my thoughts contradict one another. But one thing that keeps coming to the forefront is: I don’t want to have a life without him. Whether as my friend, or something more serious.

His eyes close and he rests his forehead against mine. “I’ll be patient.”

“Like, very patient.”

He laughs and lifts his head. “I know. However, feel free to leap into my arms and kiss the shit out of me anytime.”

I giggle as I shake my head. “I don’t know what that was.”

“I’m okay with it,” he jokes.

“I bet you are.”

“Like I said, I’m ready and willing.”

My eyes lock on his. “I’m glad to hear it.”

Zach’s smile grows. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this. We were always—easy.”

My hand presses against his cheek. The feel of his day-old stubble scratches my palm. My fingers glide back and forth against his face, reminding me he’s real. Zach was always a dream to me. A beautiful hope that would never be. But this, right now, isn’t a dream. “Do you know why I couldn’t come back here?” I ask.

“No.”

I sigh and drop my hand. It’s a lot to admit. It’s not something I’m proud of. I loved my husband, that was never something I doubted. But there was a part of me that knew if I saw Zach, I wouldn’t be able to walk away. “You,” I admit.

Zach’s hands drop and he takes a step back. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either.” My voice shakes as I speak. “I never could understand why, when I would allow myself a moment to think of you, I would hurt. I don’t know if it was lack of closure or if I was terrified the memories I buried so deep would come back.” I turn and face the woods as I come to terms with my emotions. “I knew that if I saw you, if we were close again.” I spin so he can see me. “You would be where my heart would find comfort again.”