Page 112 of What Goes Around

He didn’t hesitate. He pulled me into a hug like it was the most natural thing in the world.

For a moment, I let myself melt.

I rested my cheek against his chest and breathed him in, the familiar warmth, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, the quiet solidity of him. The scent of clean soap and something uniquely his loosened my shoulders without permission.

I pressed closer before I could stop myself.

His arms tightened, instinctive, protective.

For one fragile second, I let myself believe I could stay.

Then I stepped back.

His hands lingered for half a beat too long before he let go, his eyes searching my face like he was afraid the moment might disappear if he blinked.

“I—wow,” he said with a breathy laugh. “You look—”

He trailed off, clearly searching for a word.

“Different,” I supplied lightly.

He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

His gaze lingered, studying me. “How have you been?”

“Good,” I said.

It wasn’t a lie. Just incomplete.

“MIT,” he said, shaking his head. “I still can’t believe you’re really going there.”

“I am,” I said simply.

“That’s… impressive,” he said, genuine admiration breaking through his composure. “Congratulations again.”

“Thank you. I heard you’re doing well too,” I replied. Neutral. Safe.

“Yeah. I mean—yeah.” He laughed softly, a little off-balance.

It was rare to see Nick like this, unsteady, unsure, out of his element.

A pause settled between us. Awkward.

The kind that used to make me nervous, desperate to fill it with something, anything, just to keep him close.

This time, I let it exist.

I wondered what it would be like to keep him. To let him stay in this life the way he had in the last.

That was a problem.

“I should go say hello to some people,” I said gently.

Something flickered across his face, a brief flash of disappointment before it disappeared.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “Of course. You too, Ash.”

Ash.