Anna

I knocked on the door of my old house, and getting no answer, I slid my key into the deadbolt, hoping Dean hadn’t called a locksmith.

The tumblers clicked, and I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped into the foyer. A stack of mail sat on the small table below the art niche, and I grabbed the pile before heading to the kitchen.

I yelped, the letters slipping from my hands, when I rounded the corner and saw Dean sitting at the table.

“I-I’m sorry. I knocked. I didn’t know you were here.”

After studying me for a moment, he shoved to his feet and took out his earbuds. “I didn’t hear you.”

I backed up as Dean closed the gap between us, my cheeks flaming when he stooped to pick up the mail. “You don’t have to be afraid of me, Anna.”

Annoyance laced his tone, rightfully so, and I crouched to help him.

“I know that.” Our eyes met when he handed me the stack, and I smiled. “How are you?”

Dean walked to the coffee pot and, taking a mug from the hook under the cabinet, he said, “Better than you, I guess.”

He poured coffee into the cup, added sugar, and then set the steaming brew on the counter in front of me.

“Sorry, I don’t have any cream.” He motioned to the table. “Do you have time to talk?”

I had nothing but time. In fact, I’d seriously considered what I was going to do for the few hours Sean was with Willow. After the first visit when I’d lurked on the stairs, I decided it would be better if I wasn’t around for any others.

I took a seat. “You’re not going to the office today?”

He shrugged. “I’ve got court this afternoon. Just getting some notes together.”

Glancing over the papers strewn over the table, I realized the intrusion and picked up my cup.

Dean sat back, scrutinizing me, and after a moment of yawning silence, he asked, “Where’s Willow?”

The hot liquid burned my tongue when I took a larger gulp than I meant to. “Um . . . she’s having a visitation with Sean at my parents’ house.”

Dean cursed under his breath and looked down. He’d always told me that nothing good would come of anything concerning Sean, but he was wrong.

“He’s good with Willow,” I said quietly. “And that’s all that matters.”

“And I wasn’t.”

Shocked, I jerked my gaze to his. “No, you were fine with her. It’s just . . .”

Not the same. I left that part out. Dean didn’t deserve it. He was a good man in a bad situation. And now he was free to get on with his life.

“Look, Anna,” he began slowly. “I have my apartment downtown. Why don’t you and the baby move back in here?”

For a brief second, I considered it. But then I shook my head. “That’s really nice of you, but I’ve got some other things I’m looking into.”

Dean sat back, brown eyes searching my face. “What kind of things?”

My mouth went dry, and I felt a strange sense of guilt discussing this with him since I hadn’t told anyone else. But then, it wouldn’t be the first secret we’d shared.

“I’m thinking about going back to school.”

Dean leaned forward, smiling. “Law school?”

I nodded, suddenly shy about the whole thing. I’d always intended to go back, but then Willow’s hearing problem came to light, and I’d spent every waking moment making sure that I was there for her.

“I think that’s great,” he said, covering my hand with his. I didn’t flinch or try to move away. There was no spark, and we both knew it. “Have you talked to the admissions department?”

I gave him a tight smile because of course, he was assuming I was talking about UT Law. But that ship had sailed.

“Yes.” It was an honest answer, at least that’s what I told myself. I had spoken to the registrar’s office at Baylor. “They’re reviewing my transcripts.”

We spent the next two hours talking about first-year courses and what classes I should take if I got in.

And then Dean shoved to his feet. “I’ve got to get ready for court.” He smiled. “You can come with me if you’d like. I can dazzle you with my mad skills.”

I laughed as I pushed out of my chair. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

Dean’s eyes lost a little of their sparkle. “Because of Sean? Are you still holding on to that dream, Anna?”

“No,” I said softly. “I’ve learned my lesson. It’s time to dream a new dream.”

A little piece of me felt bad about lying to Dean because a part of that dream would never die. But I’d bury it, just like I had for the past four years.

Dean’s lips parted, and I could tell he wanted to say something else. But he didn’t. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

“You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever met. If there’s anything I can do…”

The invitation hung between us, but unlike before, I wouldn’t be accepting his offer.

This time, I had to do things on my own.

For me and for Willow.