Page 11 of A Veteran’s Second Chance

His face is inches from mine, and I stare into his intense dark eyes. His face I used to know so well, carrying more creases than it did. The face I haven’t stopped thinking about, wondering what he was doing and if he was even alive.

“Would it have been so bad?”

He gives me a sad smile. “I guess we’ll never know.”

“I did what I thought was right for you. I set you free. And I’m sorry I caused you pain. I’m sorry I hurt you. I thought you’d forget about me and move on. I used to imagine you with a college boy, and it drove me wild.”

He squeezes my hand, and I pull it out of his. I understand why he did it, but I’m not going to let him think it was some noble gesture.

“You didn’t set me free. You left. You decided, on your own, about my life and what was best for me. And you never once asked me what I wanted. Don’t dress it up like it was a gift.”

He looks down and doesn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry, Savanna. But I thought...”

“You thought for the both of us,” I cut him off. “You didn’t even give me a vote in my own life.”

He hangs his head and nods slowly. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

His apology sounds genuine, and I think he gets it. The annoying thing is that he was right. I would have gone anywhere to be with Logan. I almost gave up my place at college because I was so heartbroken when he left. Now I’m a qualified physiotherapist with a job I love in a town I love. I have friends and my home. I have independence and a good life. How different would it have been if I’d thrown my lot in with Logan back then?

I sigh heavily. “It was a long time ago. I’m happy with where my life is now. But you broke my heart.”

He winces.

“I understand why you did it, but it doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

He nods slowly. “That’s a start.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to my friends.”

Logan lets me out of the booth, and I head to the dance floor where Paige is waiting for me with another margarita. I don’t look back at Logan, but I feel his eyes on me.

I accept his reasons, but there’s still a lot to process, and if he thinks he can waltz back in here and expect there to be any of me left for him, then that is not going to happen.

8

LOGAN

Two days later, I’m back in Savanna’s treatment room. Her hair is tied back off her face, which is free of makeup. She’s the medical professional, not the carefree woman from a few nights ago. But at least the frost from my first session has thawed.

It’s the third time I’ve been in her treatment room, and the first time she’s smiled when she sees me. It’s a small smile, but I’ll take it.

“How’s the shoulder?”

She runs through her standard questions, taking notes and checking my range of motion, and recording her observations on her computer.

I enjoy watching Savanna work. She’s good at her job, that much is clear, and she seems happy here.

It was the right thing to do all those years ago, to set her free to become the woman she is today. But damn, it hurt. It still does. And as I watch her making notes with a small crease between her brows, the ache in my chest flares up. I had this woman once, and I lost her.

Was it worth it? The choice I made to join the Rangers and serve my country? Did I give up too much? What if I’d stayed? These are the questions that have haunted me for the past eleven years.

“Logan?”

Savanna is frowning at me, and I have no idea what she’s just asked. I was too busy thinking about what-ifs. I can’t do anything about the past, but I can control my actions right here and now, and without a doubt, I want a second chance with Savanna.

“What was that, Peaches?”