Page 110 of Your Place or Mine

My jaw clenched.

Because, of course, she did.

That’s who Lydia was. Sheshowed up.

Even when it was inconvenient. Even when it made things harder. Even when she had no clue what kind of chaos she was stepping into.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at her.

“I kissed her,” I muttered.

“I figured,” Drew said softly. “She looked like her head was spinning this morning.”

“She doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

“She might,” he said. “But I knowyoudon’t.”

That earned him a glare.

He met it. Didn’t flinch. Just leaned back on his palms and stared at the sky.

“Callum,” he said after a minute, “what exactly are you trying to do here? Scare her off? Prove to yourself you’re still too broken to want anything good?”

“I’m not broken,” I snapped.

He looked at me sideways. “Then why are you on your knees at your wife’s grave trying to convince yourself the first woman who’s made you feelanythingin years is the enemy?”

The words hit like a punch.

I dropped my head forward, eyes closed.

Because I didn’t have an answer.

Not one that made sense.

“She deserves better,” I finally said.

Drew didn’t argue. Didn’t sayyou’re wrong, you’re amazing, she’d be lucky to have you.

Because he knew I wouldn’t believe it.

“She deserves honesty,” he said instead. “And maybe a man who doesn’t shut her out the second she gets close.”

I finally looked at her.

Still there. Still waiting.

Still not running.

My heart twisted painfully in my chest.

“She saw me like this,” I murmured.

“Yeah,” Drew said. “And she didn’t leave.”

I stared at her a second longer, which made everything worse because she looked worried. And kind. And a little lost in a way I understood too damn well.

And I wanted to pull her to me.

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