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He shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression filled with regret. “Look, I’m sorry for how I handled things back then. I was young and stupid.”
I wanted to ask if he was upset that he’d broken up with me, but I couldn’t make the words come out of my mouth. We hadn’t officially dated because Heath never wanted anything to get back to Aiden. Instead, we spent time in the woods, talking, playing games, and getting to know each other.
We eventually progressed to heavy make-out sessions, but we never went all the way. I should have been thankful for that, but I wasn’t. Heath had always been someone special to me, but I’d wondered over the years if it was because I was so young. I’d idealized our relationship. It was so easy for him to walk away; maybe he hadn’t felt the same way.
His expression pained, he continued, “I didn’t want to do something with you that I’d regret when your brother returned.”
“I remember what you wrote.” I burned the letter in the fire pit behind my trailer and vowed never to let another man hurt me.
Heath sighed and looked away. “Of course, you do.”
He never reached out to me, even though I held out hope that he’d change his mind. Aiden would always be between us.
“I never told you, but Aiden asked me to look after you when he left. You know how your parents treated you—”
I didn’t need him to finish that sentence. We both knew that I couldn’t rely on my parents for something as simple as a kind word or a meal. “I had Gram.”
Heath’s compassionate gaze met mine. “But you deserved so much more.”
His concern only hurt more. “I lost your friendship when you broke things off.”
His lips pressed into a firm line. “That’s how it had to be.”
I held up my hands. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I don’t want to rehash our past. I just want to do what I came home to do and go back to my life.”
“You’re not staying.” It wasn’t a question.
I laughed without any humor. “There’s nothing for me here.”
He winced. “Lila told me how you were doing over the years.”
Gram never mentioned it to me. “When did you see her?”
“We took turns going over there to check in on her and maintain the property. Mom would bring her meals and drive her to the doctor. They’d sit and chat over a cup of tea.”
I felt a pang about not being the one who was there for her the last few years. I’d been wrapped up in myself. But Lori and Gram had been friends despite their age difference.
Heath scrutinized me, and I wondered what he saw. The successful businesswoman I was now or the teenager who would have followed him anywhere.
“You look good.”
I wanted to say that he did, too. In fact, he looked better than he had when we were teenagers. He’d filled out, his shoulders broad underneath the red-and-blue-checked flannel that hung open over a green Monroe Christmas Tree Farm shirt, and his thighs stretching his worn jeans.
I bet he’d learned a few things since we used to mess around. He’d always been attentive and skilled with his tongue and fingers. Now that he was a man, I wanted to experience it again.
Shaking that image from my head, I took a few steps back, needing to distance myself from him. Being around him stirred up feelings and emotions I thought I’d buried long ago.
“Where are you staying?”
“At the inn.” Gram had moved into a room on the first floor after the inn was closed so that she didn’t have to manage the stairs. She’d closed off the rest of the house and let it go.
I was a little concerned if there was anything living in the house that I should be concerned about. Gram’s bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room were still in good shape, even if it was outdated.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to stay there. Is it safe?”
I let out a huff. “It was good enough for Gram.”
“Why don’t you let me look at it tomorrow? I can do a quick walk-through and let you know.”
