Why couldn’t she give in?
He loved her—check.
He loved her daughter—check.
He had a real job, a real plan—check.
He was impossibly handsome—CHECK.
The list could scroll forever. So why did her chest clamp shut whenever forever got close?
She knew why, even if saying it out loud felt like indicting herself. Because the first time she’d handed over her heart, it had come back in pieces.
After nearly an hour on the steps, she finally stood, smoothed her shaking hands over her jeans, and walked into the home.
Game night was in full swing. Laughter ricocheted off the walls, dice clattered, and someone booed dramatically. No one clocked her at first.
Except him.
Jameson’s eyes found her instantly from across the room, his smile slipping as if it were tethered to her face. He stood and crossed the distance in a few long strides.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she lied, light as air.
He huffed, laced his fingers through hers, and steered her down the hallway off the kitchen. “Tell me, Daisy. You’re back early, without the other guy, and you look like someone kicked your puppy.”
Her eyes flashed. “That other guy’s name is Matt. My boyfriend.” She swallowed. “And he’s not here because of you, because you messed me up so bad.”
Jameson’s brows furrowed. “What?”
“You broke something in me. I can’t seem to trust a man who wants to be part of my life. Not even a good, solid one like Matt.”
She braced for him to argue, but he didn’t. His expression softened, his voice low. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you, never meant to… royally mess you up.”
“Well, you did.” Her mouth twisted, gentling. “But I appreciate the apology.”
“I’ll never stop apologizing.”
“I forgave you a long time ago,” she said, surprising herself with how true it sounded. “I had to, for Amelia, and to move forward. These are my issues to work through.”
“Anything I can do to help?” His fingers squeezed hers. She only then realized their hands were still linked.
She squeezed back. “Just keep being a good dad to our daughter. That’s all I ask.”
“Done,” he said, no hesitation.
She slipped her hand from his. “We should head back out.”
“No one even knows we’re gone,” he murmured, a half smile ghosting his mouth.
“I don’t want anyone to think—”
“Let them,” he said, so quietly it vibrated through her. He stepped a fraction closer. They were already close, but now the heat of him skimmed her skin. Alone. A dark hallway. Inches apart.
The chemistry they never talked about was present, always present. He looked at her the way he used to, like she was the only thing in the room that made sense. His gaze dipped, just once, to her mouth. Daisy swore he was about to—
“Mom!”
