And I had to learn how to find that on my own.
Maybe I needed to get out more, be around other people, try to see what existed beyond the bubble of the little life I’d been living.
Not to date other men—I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.
Cameron’s betrayal still hurt deeply. The pain hadn’t faded. I couldn’t start something new with that still hanging over me. And the thought of getting close to another man terrified me, just like it always had.
After the accident, no one was able to reach me.
Except Cameron.
He was the only one who ever made me feel anything. The only one I ever truly fell for.
But I needed to stop holding up walls.
To learn how to be free.
To move without the weight of constant worry pressing on my chest.
Caleb was watching me, and I realized I still hadn’t answered his question.
“I’ll be fine,” I said, though even I didn’t sound convinced. “I have to be.”
“I believe you can,” Caleb said, his gaze soft on me. “I’m here for you.”
“Thank you,” I said slowly.
We sat in silence for a moment before I broke the quiet. “Can we talk about something else now?”
A slow grin tugged at his lips. “Like what? The weather?”
“Okay,” I said with a nod.
“It’s freezing today,” he said. “Makes no damn sense.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that really what you want to talk about?”
“What else?” His grin widened.
“Tell me about the ER,” I said.
He frowned. “You sure? It’s all blood and gore, you know.”
“Okay, you’re right.” I gave it a moment’s thought, painfully realizing that I was utterly terrible at making small talk. “How about you tell me what’s going on with you?”
One thick brow lifted. “Nothing’s going on with me.”
“Then maybe you should do something about that,” I said. “Like... go on a date or something.”
“Nah.” He shook his head slowly. “Don’t have time right now.”
“You do have time,” I countered. “You just don’t want to make it.”
He stared at me for a moment. “So the new and improved Sloane’s a meddler now?” he said, amusement in his voice. “I honestly don’t know what to do with this version of you.”
“I’m trying to make conversation here,” I said with a scowl. “Clearly, I’m terrible at it.”
He laughed. “Can’t argue with that, I must say.”
