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I smiled. “Thanks. I’ve missed everyone.”
He nodded and opened the gate, allowing me through. I parked in the driveway and stared up at Knox’s house, accepting my decision, even if I didn’t know where we went from here.
I took a few deep breaths and rang the doorbell. It swung open a moment later, Knox looking as delectable as ever. His hair was still wet as if fresh from the shower, and his smile was warm.
“Come in,” he said, opening the door wider to let me in.
I merely nodded, my words failing me. I was too nervous. I didn’t know what to expect or what I even wanted. Well, I knew what I wanted. I just didn’t know if it was possible.
Knox seemed to believe so.
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked. “Water? Wine?”
“Whiskey, please,” I said, needing something strong to calm my nerves.
He smiled. “Sure.”
I followed him into the living room, noticing the new drapes. “These turned out great,” I said, running a hand down the material.
“Thanks. Lauren did a great job.”
“Yes,” I said. “She really did.”
“Here.” He handed me a tumbler filled with amber liquid. The ice clinked against the glass as our fingers brushed, and I was tempted to remove one of the cubes and run it along my skin just to try to cool myself down.
I lifted my glass to his as he held his out for a toast, but I couldn’t seem to form words in his presence. He looked incredible. And this felt insane. And…
“You were amazing yesterday,” he said, sipping his drink. “The event ran smoothly and exceeded all expectations, especially considering you had to take it over on such short notice.”
“Thank you,” I said, appreciating his praise. And yet feeling as if there was a formality to his words that hadn’t been there before. “A lot of the legwork had been done for me, so—”
“No, Kendall.” His expression was serious. “Don’t downplay your role.Youpulled it all together at the end. Andyoumade it special.”
“Thank you,” I said. “So did you. The kids seemed to have a blast.”
He nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs. I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I perched on the arm of the sofa.
When the silence stretched on and I couldn’t take it anymore, I finally asked, “Knox, is everything okay?”
“I—” He shook his head. “I know I asked you to come here, but I was wrong.Thisis wrong.”
I scoffed. “Um. What happened to—” I pitched my voice low in a terrible attempt to mimic Knox’s. “‘It’s the only thing that feels right’?”
He groaned but said nothing. The silence stretched on for so long that, finally, I stood.
“Right,” I said, embarrassed that I’d come. I wasn’t going to be yanked around. I grabbed my purse then headed for the door.
And then I paused. In the past, or with other men, I would’ve stayed quiet. I would’ve let it go. But Knox had always encouraged me to speak my mind, and I wasn’t going to hold back now.
I turned to face him, resolved to find out the truth. “I don’t understand. What changed since yesterday? Where’s the man who was determined to be with me and would let nothing stand in his way? The man who said he needed me. And made me believe it was true.”
“It was—is—true,” he said, his expression one of agony.
“Then tell me what’s different,” I demanded. “I mean, what happened to playing to win?”
“Don’t you get it, Kendall? When it comes to us, everyone loses.”
I softened, remembering how much was at stake—for all of us. “Is this about your relationship with Jude?”
