Page 98 of The Refiner

Duke doesn’t bother confirming it, but he doesn’t really have to, the wedding band on his left hand is proof enough.

Remington laughs. “I don’t know who this woman is, but I support her marriage to Dr. Dumbass, if it produces this kind of reaction from Vance-hole.”

Vance’s jaw ticks as he stares at me in fury. “You know what this means?”

Unfortunately, I do. “We’re fucked.”

Duke managed to stay alive throughout lunch.

Now that I’ve left, though, I can’t promise how long he’ll remain that way. Him marrying Ramsey, his childhood friend, is… problematic, but it’s done—at least for now.

Pulling into the driveway with Tatum still asleep in the back seat, I spot something on my front door. With it being Christmas, I could have missed a package, but then again, the postal service wouldn’t have left dozens of notes. They would have left one.

There’s only one person who’s ever plastered notes to my door, and that’s exactly the person I’ve been missing.

Glancing into the back seat, I check on Tatum before I pull out my phone, finding I missed a text from Keagan.

Keagan: Got your letter, but it was too late. I already made my decision.

My heart sputters. I knew I shouldn’t have held onto the envelope as long as I did, but I didn’t want to sway Keagan’s decision with outside influences.

But it had been a month—one long-ass month—and she still hadn’t made her decision.

The envelope was the last card I had to play.

Unlocking my phone, I respond to her text.

Me: Are you going to make me guess?

I use the same question she would ask me when I didn’t want to answer.

Three dots appear, indicating that she’s typing.

Keagan: Don’t get smart with me. I was just waiting on you.

I’m confused.

Me: Why would you be waiting on me?

She’s quick to respond.

Keagan: You told me if I ever ran, you would chase me. I’m disappointed in your follow through, Dr. Potter.

I grin.

Me: I was merely giving you a head start.

Honestly, she only had until tonight. I had no intentions of not spending Christmas with her.

Keagan: Just know you only have yourself to blame.

I don’t know what it says about me that I’m excited to see what she’s done. It feels like it’s been so long since I’ve truly smiled.

Getting out of the car, I approach the door, anticipation growing as I pluck the first note from the door.

You’re the only one I want to ice my vagina with.

Of course, that’s the first one I read. I shake my head, a big, stupid grin on my face as I scan the neighborhood street, looking for her car. I don’t see it anywhere, but I can feel her. She isn’t far. I know it. She’s just being dramatic Keys, making me wait a little longer for the answer I desperately need.

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