I’d spent the entire afternoon and evening looking at places to move my workshop. I needed to get it out of the garage, and I’d hoped to do so before summer. With time quickly running out, I wanted to get a head start at looking for options. Luckily, Dad would be home Friday to help me find something.

I turned on the TV in the living room for background noise—the house was too quiet when I was home alone—and then sat at the kitchen table to study for my exams. Even though there were still four weeks until graduation, the seniors only had nine days left of school. After this week, we’d take our tests and be done.

At one point in time, I’d looked forward to this moment. But without Kristy, my focus had changed. Now, I counted down the hours until I could move forward—get out on my own and really do something with myself. I’d spent three years preparing for this, and I couldn’t wait to go from building tables in a garage to installing some of the best woodwork anyone’s ever seen.

Yet I wouldn’t get there until I passed these exams.

I was halfway through my study guide when the TV caught my attention. Since my dad had been the last one to watch anything in the living room, the news was on, and if I’d had any interest in what program played while I studied, I would’ve changed it. Now, I was glad I hadn’t.

Leaning to the side to see the screen from around the corner, I watched as the anchorman sat behind the news desk, discussing the bank that had been robbed earlier. And in the corner above his head was a picture of the building where Kristy worked. I found myself standing behind the couch, desperately fighting to pay attention to what was said, though I couldn’t retain any information. All I could think about was Kristy.

If she’d been there when it happened.

If she was okay.

If. If. If.

Unable to stand in front of the TV a second longer, I ran out of the house, across the yard, and up the steps to Kristy’s front porch without thinking to put on shoes. I rang the bell, then knocked. Then I pounded the solid wood with the side of my fist, prepared to kick down the door to make sure she was all right.

What felt like hours later, Emma answered, standing in my way with a scowl. “What do you want, Ash?”

“Is she here?”

“Yeah, of course she is.” That was all I needed to hear.

I pushed my way inside, ignoring her complaints and appalled tone. She could once again tell me how disgusting she thought I was after I checked on her mom. Right now, I didn’t care about anything other than Kristy; the rest of the world and their opinions could wait.

Her bedroom door was closed, so that was the first place I went. The sound of her shower running filled the room as soon as I stepped in. I didn’t think about it, just put one foot in front of the other until I found her.

She stood beneath the spray, shoulders hunched. Her hands had covered her red, splotchy face, but at the sound of the glass door sliding open, she lifted her head with a frightened gasp. And as soon as her bloodshot eyes met mine, the fear fell away.

Instantly, her nose scrunched. She closed her eyes, and with a shudder, her shoulders hiccupped, and a strangled sob clawed its way to the surface. It was as though she’d held on tightly to the emotions following the events of today, and once she saw me, her will to stay strong vanished.

I didn’t think twice before stepping under the water and wrapping her in my arms. I didn’t care that my clothes would get wet, or that I wasn’t supposed to be here. Barring death, nothing could’ve kept me from holding her, from bringing her comfort when she needed it most.

Kristy grabbed my shirt, fisting the drenched material along my back, and buried her face in my chest. Her entire body trembled until her knees became too weak to hold her. She slid down the tile wall, dragging me to the shower floor with her, where she straddled my jean-covered thighs.

This was the first time she’d ever held her naked body against me and I didn’t feel the need to worship her smooth, flawless skin. It was the first time she had her bare legs wrapped around my hips and sex never entered my mind. If I hadn’t already known I loved her, I would’ve realized it now. Had there been any question in my mind that our relationship had been strictly physical, this would’ve answered it.

As I sat with her in my arms, my clothes soaking wet, I couldn’t think about anything other than taking away her pain and making her whole again. Even if that meant things would go back to the way they were between us. I would gladly go without ever again hearing her say my name, without ever feeling her lips on mine or seeing the gold flecks in her eyes. If it meant she was okay, I’d learn to live without my heart beating inside my chest.

“Talk to me,” I begged into the crook of her neck, my voice shredded with agony and weak with helplessness. “What happened today?”

Kristy clung to me tighter, cried harder, and shook her head.

I wished I had taken a moment to assess her body before engulfing her in my arms—if only to see with my own eyes that she wasn’t harmed. “Just tell me you’re all right. That you’re not hurt. Please, at least give me that. The rest I can deal with.”

Again, she shook her head, the only sounds she emitted were short gasps of air between garbled sobs. But the longer I gently stroked her back, grazing my fingertips along her spine, the more relaxed she became. Eventually, her breathing slowed and her cries quieted, just enough for her to whisper, “Every time I close my eyes, I see his gun in my face.”

Hearing the panic in her voice as she told me the bastard had held a gun to her, I realized what pure, unadulterated wrath felt like. Blinding, violent anger coursed through me. It viciously furled in my chest until its fiery talons ripped apart my heart.

“He…he had a gun?”

She nodded, and then continued with tears distorting her strained voice. “I can’t make it go away. I couldn’t tell the cops much, because all I can remember is what the end of the gun looks like. Everything else is blurry.”

I’d never experienced hatred this deep. I never thought it could be possible to feel this much hostility toward one person. Until now. Until I thought about what this man had done to Kristy.

“It’s okay, babe. You’re all right.” I held her tighter, hoping she couldn’t feel the indignation that flooded my veins and fried my nerves.

I pulled her to her feet and shut off the water that had now run cold. As I dried her, I carefully examined every inch of her body, ensuring she didn’t have so much as a scratch on her porcelain skin. And when I felt content that he hadn’t touched her, I led her into the bedroom, my sopping clothes leaving a trail behind me.

I’d waited for Emma to storm in, make a scene, show herself the way she’d done for the last month, but she never did. The door remained closed while I pulled clothes from the dresser. The house remained silent as I slipped a T-shirt over Kristy’s head and lowered myself to my knees so she could step into a pair of panties. I managed to peel the wet denim from my legs and replace them with sweatpants I’d accidentally left behind, all without a single interruption. And after I had Kristy in bed, beneath the covers, I crawled in behind her, anticipating something from Emma.

Yet nothing came.

I tugged Kristy to my chest and wrapped my arms around her. It was meant to comfort her, to bring her peace and a sense of safety. However, she must’ve felt my own distress, because after we settled in, she consoled me in the only way she could…by opening up.

“Do you believe in angels?” Hope filled her voice, causing me to release a little of the tension that coiled my muscles.

“I don’t know. Why?”

“I think I might’ve had one with me today.” Without waiting for my questions, she shared her experience, explaining the ordeal with surprising awe. She had me hooked to her every word as they became a visual slideshow in my mind. “It was so surreal, Ash. I’ve never felt anything like it—the calm that washed over me was almost eerie, and the warmth along my skin was out of this world. I probably sound crazy.”

“No, you don’t. Not at all.”

“I can’t help but think my guardian angel kept me safe by wrapping me in her wings. I mean, the man had a gun in my face. When he spoke, he just sounded so evil. I don’t doubt for a second that he’s the type of person who could kill someone without batting an eye. But for some reason, I knew I’d be okay. I wasn’t at all scared…until he left.”

It was her experience, the way she lived it, how she perceived it, and if believing an angel kept her protected got her through this, then I’d play along. I wouldn’t explain adrenaline, or how everything she had described could be justified by science. It didn’t matter what I believed. Hell, it didn’t even matter what had kept her calm—be it faith or her body’s natural reaction to the situation. All that mattered was that she’d made it out alive, in one piece. That she was in my arms, safe and sound.

Within five minutes, her breathing had leveled out and her posture had fully relaxed. She was asleep. And as much as I wanted to keep her in my arms all night, I knew I couldn’t. I’d only meant to check on her, and I did that. It was time to slip away and go home. If she wanted me to come back, she would have to let me know. But until then, I had to honor my promise.

However, as soon as I stepped outside, I noticed Emma’s car was not in the driveway. She’d left, which explained her lack of interruption. Standing on the front porch, I called her cell, which went straight to voicemail.

After reaching out to as many people as I could, receiving either no response or no information, I went back inside. Kristy didn’t deserve to be alone tonight. And while this would likely set me back to the beginning, I’d sacrifice my own stability to give her peace a little while longer.

Without waking her, I slid back into bed and held her to me. She sighed and relaxed in my arms. I had no doubt that I would wake up with even less of a heart than I had the night she’d pushed me away, but it would be worth it.

She was worth it.

When the alarm on my cell sounded next to my ear, I quickly silenced it, hoping it hadn’t woken Kristy. She shifted as I carefully pulled my arm from beneath her neck and crawled off the mattress without disturbing her.

I managed to slide out of bed without her knowledge, and as soon as I had my damp clothes from the shower in my arms, her phone rang, waking her. I hoped it was Emma, but as soon as I heard the deep rumbles of a man’s voice through the line, I knew it wasn’t.

Jealousy shot through me like dagger…for a split second. Then I shook it off, understanding that there were at least a dozen reasons for a man to call her—any number of them could’ve been law enforcement or someone from the bank. Stuffing down the reminder that we weren’t together, I leaned forward, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and whispered, “Bye, babe,” just loud enough for the man on the other end of the line to hear.

I still had to get home, shower, dress, and leave for school. If I didn’t get stuck behind a bus, there was a chance I’d make it early enough to find Emma and explain. Not that she’d want to listen; however, I wouldn’t give her a choice.

Luckily, there was no bus ahead of me.

Finding Emma at her locker, I tried to pull her toward a quiet corner. But she refused to cooperate. Instead, she glared at me, absolute condemnation on her face. I’d gotten enough of this from her over the last few weeks that it shouldn’t have bothered me, yet considering what her mother had just gone through, it sickened me that she would act this way.

Maybe Kristy had harbored so much guilt over lying to her that she refrained from eradicating her attitude. But I had none. And before I knew it, I slammed her locker shut and stood directly in front of her.

“What’s your problem, Asher?” If she talked any louder, there would be a scene, which was exactly what I tried to avoid.

“Where were you last night? Why did you leave?”

Emma hiked the strap to her bag higher up her shoulder, cocked one hip, and sneered. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but I went to my dad’s. You and my mom have made it abundantly clear that my feelings don’t matter, so have at it.”

“That’s rather selfish, don’t you think? Grow up, Emma.”

“I’m selfish?” Her eyes were wide, full of shock, as if I’d said the most despicable thing anyone had ever heard. “I don’t ask my mom for much, and I’ve never asked you for anything. So I don’t see why it’s so difficult to give me this one thing. How in the hell does that make me selfish?”

“We aren’t together. Aside from last night, we haven’t spoken in weeks. What more could you possibly want?”

“I’m not stupid. I caught you guys fucking in her bathtub, so I don’t need to have a wild imagination to assume what took place in her shower last night. Just because you’ve stayed away for a few weeks doesn’t mean you’re entitled to congratulatory fucks. ‘Good job on avoiding me for a month, let’s high-five with our genitals.’ Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and attempted to dismiss me.

But I refused to let her.

With my teeth clenched and my muscles rigid, I grabbed the strap of her school bag to stop her. She opened her mouth to protest, yet I beat her to it when I growled, “You have no clue what happened to her yesterday, do you?”

Her irritation softened, melting into confusion that toed the line of concern.

I took a deep breath, scanned the hall to make sure we hadn’t garnered unwanted attention, and then leveled my sights on Emma once more. “Her bank was robbed. She was held up at gunpoint. I went to see if she was okay, and when I found her in the shower, she was hysterical. We didn’t do anything.” I released her bag and pulled my face away, trying to regain control of my temper. “I didn’t even take my fucking clothes off.”

“She… What? My m-mom? Oh my God…” She dropped her head and ran her fingers through her hair, her chest heaving with the panic that suffocated her. When she lifted her gaze, tears lined her eyes, worry and grief marring her features, and maybe I imagined it, but I could swear an apology lingered on her lips.

Yet I didn’t wait for it, assuming it would be a long time before she ever admitted a single ounce of fault. “It was all over the news—probably still is. I’m surprised you didn’t see it on social media or hear about it from your dad.”

“He goes to bed early on weeknights.” She spoke so softly, it was as though she explained it to herself, not me. “Oh my God…is she okay?”

“About as fine as someone can be after having a gun shoved in their face.”

“I need to go home. I need to see her.” Her eyes glistened with hysteria while her shoulders trembled with the fear of the unknown.

“Tell the office. I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you leave and spend the day with her.”

Emma dropped her gaze before slowly stepping away. She might not have uttered the words—hell, she probably hadn’t even considered them—but I had no doubt there was a “thank you” somewhere inside her.

“Honestly, I think the last one we saw would be best for you. Wouldn’t you agree?” Dad sat across from me at the kitchen table, going over the options for the warehouse spaces we’d seen today.

“Maybe, but before I sign a lease, don’t you think I should check out a few more?”

“That’s up to you, son. But I’m flying out again in the morning and won’t be back until Wednesday. If you want to wait until then, I’d love to go with you. I just know you were hoping to have a place before school lets out.”

With only one week left before the senior classes ended, I was running out of time to finalize everything. Granted, I didn’t have any real need to find something before I officially graduated, other than being able to utilize the two weeks between my last class and walking the stage to get everything moved into the new place. I wanted to wake up the morning after being handed my diploma and get to work.

“I guess it comes down to whether you think you’ll find anything better than this one.” He slid the listing in front of me and tapped his finger against the top of the paper. “It’s big enough, in a great location, and well within your budget. It’ll be tough to beat it; I can tell you that.”

I nodded while skimming the information, having already read it a hundred times. He was right, but before I could say that, a knock came from the front door. Dad and I glanced at each other, neither of us expecting anyone, so I pushed my chair away from the table and moved to see who it was.

Emma stood on the front porch, defeat holding her hostage. And from the looks of it, she hadn’t gotten much sleep. Immediately, alarms sounded in my head, though I didn’t have the slightest idea what could’ve been wrong—I’d heard from Kristy earlier when she responded to my text and told me she was okay.

“What’s wrong, Em?” I hadn’t called her that since she’d come to the conclusion that I was a pervert who chased “old tail”—Thomas’s words, not mine—yet it was more or less instinct right now. There was an odd air of familiarity between us as she regarded me with hopelessness, and I refused to dismiss it in favor of holding on to animosity.

“Listen, I know I told you I wanted you to stay away from my mom, but I need your help.”

My heart sped up, and my chest constricted painfully. “Is she okay?”

“No.” Desperation carried in her tone, which would explain why she was here. “I’m not stupid, Ash. I know you’ve seen her this week. When I got home Wednesday, she was dressed, like she actually left the house that day. It would’ve been a sign that she was doing better, except she was right back to staring at the wall less than two hours later.”

I glanced over my shoulder, making sure my dad wasn’t around. Then I stepped outside, forcing Emma back so I could pull the door closed. “That doesn’t mean I was there. You’ve made it very clear that you don’t want me around, so I’ve kept my distance.” For the most part.

After leaving Kristy’s bed Tuesday morning, I’d only physically checked on her once—every other time had been through texts. I’d left early from school on Wednesday for an appointment and didn’t go back, even though I still had close to two hours before the final bell. Instead, I’d decided to utilize that time to see Kristy—who, by the way, hadn’t gotten out of bed all day. So, I made a sandwich and told her to get dressed. After she ate, we went for a walk around the neighborhood. I left shortly before Emma came home, though it seemed I hadn’t gotten away with it like I thought.

“She acted alive when I walked in. Said she got a little sunshine, and that was why she was happy. But when I tried to get her out of the house yesterday, she refused. And ever since I came home today, she hasn’t gotten out of bed. It’s where she was when I left this morning, and I found her in the same spot three hours ago when I got back from school. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s spent all day there.” It was obvious Kristy’s disposition affected Emma as much as me.

I wasn’t sure what she wanted me to do. It wasn’t like I could convince my dad that I had to take her mom for a walk—she wasn’t a dog. And while I hadn’t been concerned over his reaction to our relationship while it was still going on, there didn’t seem to be much reason to tell him about it now—it was over; nothing to say about it.

“I’m getting ready to go out with Tori, and after that, I’m supposed to go to my dad’s house for the weekend.”

“Are you asking me to babysit your mom while you go out with your friends on a Friday night? What am I missing? You’re not that insensitive or neglectful. And I know you’re not still pissed about Monday. So, what is it? If you’re that concerned about her, why leave?”

Her shoulders lifted with a full inhalation, and then dropped as the exhale rushed out in a forceful huff. “It’s my birthday, and she didn’t remember. We celebrated it last weekend because I’m supposed to be with my dad until Sunday afternoon, and Tori had asked about going out to dinner.”

“She didn’t say anything to you at all today about it being your birthday?” When she shook her head, I asked, “You didn’t mention it, try to remind her?”

“No. I doubt she even knows what day it is. I don’t want to make her feel worse. And like I said, we celebrated last week.”

“Okay…do the same with Tori in a few days. Call your dad, explain to him that she needs you here. Just because you have plans or it’s his weekend doesn’t mean you have to go.”

“I tried, Ash. I told her I’d cancel my plans or reschedule them, but she adamantly told me not to. She doesn’t want me there. I’m really worried about her, but it’s like my hands are tied. If I leave, I doubt she’ll take care of herself. If I stay, I’ll just spend the next two days watching her lie around or stare at a wall.”

“What kinds of things are you trying to get her to do?”

“Eat, get out of bed—hell, I’d be happy if she got dressed. When she does get up, it’s only to move to the couch, where she stares at the TV. There could literally be an infomercial for wart removal on the screen, and she’d just stare at it, like she has a deep interest in it. It’s bad.”

“Did anything else happen? This can’t still be from the robbery, can it?”

“They haven’t found the guy, so maybe she’s freaked out that he’ll find her? I honestly have no clue because she won’t talk to me. I think the closer she gets to going back to work on Monday, the more terrified she becomes. She jumps at every little noise, and in the middle of the night, I can hear her crying. I don’t know what else to do.”

“If you can’t get through to her, what makes you think I can?”

She scoffed while rolling her eyes. “I’m not saying I agree with it, or condone it, or have any interest in seeing the two of you together…but I’m out of options here. I won’t pretend to understand it, so please, don’t bother trying to explain; I just know that ever since we moved in, she’s been a different person. I just thought it was pride or gratification because she’d finally bought a house.”

I held my breath, praying she would say the words I’d been waiting for. She’d never admit she was wrong—or even apologize for coming between Kristy and me—but the least she could do was acknowledge that my relationship with her mother was real.

“God…I can’t believe I’m about to say this right now.” Her head fell back as she huffed at the ceiling. Finally, she lowered her chin, except rather than face me, she stared at her house. “She’s been miserable for the last month. And it’s possible”—she cut her eyes to glare at me—“I’m not saying it’s true, but it’s possible that I continued to give her a hard time on purpose. I didn’t want to find out that she was still miserable after things between us went back to normal. If that happened, then the reason she’s been so happy this past year is you. And I didn’t want that to be true.”

“Why is that so hard to believe, Emma? Why can’t you accept that your mom found someone who treated her right, cared about her, put her first and would do anything for her? Why wouldn’t you want her to be with someone who loves her, who she might possibly love back?”

She shook her head, refusing to give me an answer. “I told you…I’m not getting into it. All I came here for is to see if you’ll help me. I figured you’d jump at the chance to spend a few days alone with her.”

Honestly, I had wanted to run over there the second Emma knocked on the door, but considering this was the first chance I’d had to talk to her since she’d walked in on Kristy and me, I wasn’t in any hurry to rush through it.

Truth be told, even though I hadn’t considered Emma a “friend,” she had been someone I was fond of. And once she’d discovered we were neighbors, she had actually made an effort to get to know me. While sitting in Kristy’s tub that night, I hadn’t just lost the woman of my dreams—I’d lost a friend I never realized I’d had.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned my shoulder against the doorframe. “Just so we’re clear…is this like a one-time pass? Or are you giving us your blessing to move forward and get back together?”

“How about we take it one day at a time, okay? Let’s just get through this weekend.” With a heavy sigh, her shoulders fell and posture slumped. “She goes back to work on Monday. She’ll never make it if she spends the next two days locked inside the house alone.” Her concern was palpable. It reached inside and strangled my heart, punctured my lungs, and soured my stomach.

“Yeah. I can do that. And, Emma? Happy birthday.”

She shot me a tight smile and nodded. Then, as she slowly backed away, she muttered, “Thank you.”

I pushed open the front door and slipped inside. Dad no longer sat at the table, which caused my heart to thump wildly until I found him in the kitchen, mixing a drink. He regarded me with observant eyes, as if waiting for me to tell him something he already knew.

This could go one of two ways: really well or really fucking badly.

“Everything okay with Emma?” So, he knew who was at the door, which meant he’d heard at least some of what was said, and knowing my luck, it had been the worst parts—well, what he would consider to be the worst.

“Uh, yeah. She’s okay. She just wants me to come over for a bit and talk to her mom.”

His head bobbed slowly, though I couldn’t decipher if that meant he was taking in what I said or waiting to strike. However, he caught me off guard by asking, “Please tell me you didn’t knock her up.”

It took me a second to shake of the surprise left behind by his question. “Who, Emma?”

“No…Kristy.” One corner of his mouth gradually curled with a smirk right before he added, “Of course I mean Emma. Why would I ask if you got her mother pregnant? Isn’t she in her thirties?”

“Uh, yeah.” My throat closed and the back of my neck flushed, likely close to perspiring along my hairline. I hated lying to my dad and hoped he wouldn’t ask me anything that would make me be dishonest. As of right now, I could get away with being literal—then again, that hadn’t worked in my favor when I technically hadn’t lied to Kristy about my age. “And no, I didn’t get Emma pregnant. It’s nothing like that.”

“Oh, so what does she want you to talk to Kristy about?”

“She was held at gunpoint on Monday at the bank—Kristy was, I mean. Not Emma. And she’s had a tough time this week. So, Emma thought maybe I might be able to help. An intervention of sorts.”

Dad picked up his glass and brought it to his lips, his gaze never shifting away from mine. “Yeah, I heard about the bank. I called her Tuesday morning to check on her. I think I might’ve woken her.” There was no way that could be true. “That’s sad…couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Go ahead, I’ll be here when you’re done in case you still wanted to go over the warehouse listings.”

The way he watched me left a knot in the pit of my stomach, though I chose to ignore it and carry on before my shame gave me away. I could get away with a lot, but after losing my father’s trust and then fighting to regain it, the idea of rocking that boat left me uneasy—especially after how much closer we’d gotten over the last month.

I quickly and quietly left before he could ask another question or spend any more time picking apart the guilt that riddled me. My feet carried me to Kristy’s on autopilot, and as I approached the front door, Emma was on her way out.

“Thank you, Ash. Call me if you need anything.” She stopped and grabbed my arm. “Actually, call me tonight either way. Or text. I don’t care; I just want to make sure she’s okay. And if you need me to vouch for you to your dad or anything, let me know. If you can pull my mom back to the land of the living, I’ll owe you more than I could ever repay.”

I forced a grin to my lips and shrugged. “Technically, I’m here because you asked. But I’m doing this for her. Because I love her and can’t stand the thought of her hurting.”

She hesitated for a moment, as if she were about to ask me something. But rather than open her mouth and speak, she dropped her gaze and bounded down the steps to the walkway. And without a backward glance, she rounded her car, opened the door, and slipped behind the wheel.

I waited until she was out of the driveway before heading inside. Unlike Wednesday, this time, determination fueled me, rather than sympathy and an unyielding ache to offer her comfort and reassurance. While I still yearned to give her those things, we’d reached a point where kid gloves would no longer work. It was time to throw her in the deep end and watch her swim.

Sinking wasn’t an option.

She’d never give up.

Luckily, she was awake when I walked into her room. She was in bed, though not lying down—the light wasn’t even off like I’d expected it to be. I found her perched on the side of the mattress with her phone in hand, and her surprised, wide eyes cast on me as I stormed in. I didn’t offer her a moment to calm down before going to her, taking her hand, and dragging her to her feet.

“Ash! What are you doing?” Her protests became louder as we moved to the kitchen, yet she followed without resistance.

Once we made it to the center island near the fridge, I released her hand. “Are you hungry?”

“Not really.”

“Would you like to eat?”

“Uh…I just told you I wasn’t hungry.”

I opened the fridge and hummed while searching nearly empty shelves. “Looks like our options are eggs or eggs. What are you in the mood for?”

“Nothing. Because I don’t want to eat.”

Nodding, I grabbed the pink carton and set it on the counter. “Good choice. Breakfast for dinner is my favorite.” I slid out the various meat drawers and vegetable crispers before closing the door with a huff. “No bacon. Sorry. But if you want it that badly, I could go to the store and get some.”

“I don’t. Are you not hearing what I’m saying?”

I had her on the verge of becoming irritated, which hadn’t been the reaction I had hoped for, but I wouldn’t be picky. I’d take what I could get and make the most of it. Deciding to go with it, I stepped closer and grasped the hem of her tee. “You can’t go into a store dressed like this,” I said as I stripped her of her shirt in one fell swoop.

Kristy gasped and covered her chest, as if I hadn’t etched the details of her entire body into my memory. “What are you doing?”

While she gawked, blinking wildly, I bent forward and lifted her over my shoulder. She no longer sat on the verge of irritation, but rather dove headfirst into it and owned it like a champion. Her growly threats and grumbled demands to set her down had put her temper more in the irate category than annoyance.

Which was exactly where I wanted her.

I tossed her onto the mattress, a squeal ripping from her throat as she bounced. That became a yelp the instant I grabbed the sides of her yoga pants and yanked them off, not allowing her the chance to stop me. Now, she sat before me in nothing but a pair of panties and a mask of utter outrage.

“What in the hell are you doing, Asher?” She only used my full name when she meant to gain my attention. Well, she was damn near close to being naked…she didn’t have to say anything to get my attention.

“We have to go to the store to get bacon. You don’t remember this conversation?” I slid open her dresser drawer filled with shorts and pulled out the pair on top. After tossing it to her, I moved on to the drawer with her undergarments, chose a bra, and then found a shirt. As I watched her clutch the outfit to her chest, I had to swallow down the need to laugh. “Hurry up, babe. We don’t have all night.”

“I’m not going to the store, because I’m not hungry. I don’t plan to eat breakfast for dinner, so there’s no point in getting bacon. If I’m not going to the store, then I’m not getting dressed. I was just about to take a shower, anyway.”

“Okay, fine. Have it your way. No bacon. But in case I missed it behind all the nothingness in your fridge, it didn’t look like you had any cake.”

Her brows knitted together as her top lip curled. “Cake?”

“Yeah. For Emma. You know…for her birthday.”

I didn’t have to say anything else before her eyes widened, her mouth dropping open to form a perfect O. And half a second later, she flipped onto her knees, scrambling on the bed in search of something—likely, her phone—all while mumbling, “Oh my God, what day is it?”

“Friday the twenty-sixth,” I answered for her. “Of April, in case you forgot what month it was, too. Does this mean you don’t have anything to stick candles in? Shit…do you even have candles? I guess if worse comes to worse, Emma could make a wish on one of the pillars you keep on the coffee table.”

“Oh my God…” Her remorseful cry silenced my pestering, and it took more strength than I knew I had not to go to her. “I can’t believe I forgot her birthday. How did that happen? What kind of mother am I?”

“The kind who’s spent the last five days locked in her room, afraid of her own shadow.”

When she turned to find my stare, the anguish in her dark eyes leaked down her cheeks until I feared I’d have to be physically restrained in order to stay away. “Why didn’t she say anything?”

“What was she going to say, Kris? Nothing she’s tried so far has gotten you out of bed. No matter what she’s done, she can’t get you out of the house or in real clothes. So why would she remind you?”

“I would’ve gotten up for that,” she argued.

“Yeah, you’re right. You would’ve. But she shouldn’t have to guilt you into it. If you want to make it right…get up. Get dressed. Get out there and eat some damn eggs without bacon. And after that, go outside. Take a walk, go to the pool, dive in. Live. Then come home and call Emma. Wish her a happy birthday. Maybe by then she’ll be done with dinner and offer to come home and spend time with you tonight. Butter some popcorn and share a blanket with your daughter on the couch. Put on a movie—a comedy—and actually watch it. Laugh. Feel your smile burn your cheeks; feel your abs ache as it rolls through you. Spend time with someone who makes you happy, with someone you love.”

I closed the distance between us and brushed the stream of tears from her cheeks.

“You’re not made of glass, babe. What happened on Monday might’ve caused a small crack in your armor, but that doesn’t mean you’ll shatter. This is the time to prove you’re unbreakable. The dents and dings and tiny fissures you’ve accumulated over the years, the ones you’ve yet to earn…they just prove you’re resilient. Now, get up, put on your clothes, and get your indestructible ass into the kitchen. You have eggs to fry.”

I didn’t wait for a response, simply turned and walked out of her room, trusting she’d do what was right. And less than two minutes later, I was rewarded with the sight of Kristy, dressed in actual clothes, strutting into the kitchen. And with as gratifying as that was, it only made me push her harder, yearning for every single reward that would come with her will to fight.

It was almost nine when I finally walked through the front door. Emma had come home to stay the night, deciding to go to her dad’s in the morning. Once she got there, it was my time to leave. I’d succeeded in what Emma had asked of me, so I wasn’t needed any longer.

Not to mention, it was far easier to play the tough guy when she wasn’t smiling or laughing, filled with the infectious contentment I’d fallen for to begin with. I wasn’t dumb enough to believe this had changed anything, so there was no point in hanging around. It would only make it hurt worse when I came crashing back to reality.

“Hey, Dad.” I found him sitting at the kitchen table, his laptop open in front of him.

He glanced up, took off his reading glasses, and leaned back in his chair. “How was the intervention?”

“Successful…I hope. I mean, as long as she wasn’t pretending, then yeah, it went well.”

His head slowly bobbed as he closed the lid to his computer, and in an instant, my stomach sank. He didn’t have to look at me or say anything…I just knew. It was in his methodical movements, restrained pace, and relaxed posture. During the year he’d stayed home while keeping me under his thumb, this was the reaction I’d dubbed Kingpin. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve bet he was a Mafia boss while he was away. He certainly had the whole “calm, cool, and collected” vibe part down. I’d never seen him break a kneecap before, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d do so with the same temperament as pouring a glass of milk.

“So your girlfriend’s okay?” Yeah, he knew. This was his way of tripping me up. The vague questions that easily lured me into the net right before he yanked the rope, hanging me by my toes.

“Actually, we broke up. About a month ago.”

“Huh…that explains things.” If he thought I’d ask for clarification, he was wrong. “What happened? Why did you two split? Was it at least amicable?”

Fuck my life. “Uh…not really. I didn’t want to, but she didn’t really have much of a choice.”

“Did Kristy have an issue with you dating her daughter?”

Navigating his words was harder than a Rubik’s Cube. But by now, this had turned into a game—a challenge of the minds—and I wasn’t ready to show my hand, even though he already knew what cards I held. “I’m not sure. To be honest, I never asked.”

“So then, was it the age difference that got in the way?”

“No…well, not for us. I’m sure some people had issues with it.”

“Like Emma?” Check. Mate.

It was game over. I had no more moves. Time to show my hand and admit defeat. “Yeah. She wasn’t happy about it.”

He remained oddly calm, which worried me more. “How’d she find out?”

“Came home early and caught us.”

Bobbing his head again, it was clear he intended to drag this out.

But I couldn’t hold back the need for my own questions to be answered. “How’d you find out? And when?”

“What makes you think I haven’t always known?”

“Because you would’ve said something by now.”

“Not necessarily. You’re eighteen. I can’t stop you from sleeping with someone who’s of age. Not to mention, it’s not like I’m home enough to even enforce it. The way I saw it…having sex is a hell of a lot better than what you used to do—as long as you’re using protection. Which you are, right?”

I nodded, because telling him I hadn’t—ever—would ensure my untimely death.

“It wasn’t until tonight that I realized you had been in a full-blown relationship with her. I’ll be honest, Asher…that surprised me. But again, I can’t stop you. If she’s who you want to be with, the only thing I can do is make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into. After that, you’re an adult. You’re about to graduate high school, move out on your own, start your own company. I can’t control who you date or how old they are.”

“I don’t think it matters, Dad. Emma won’t ever be okay with it. Which means Kristy won’t give it another chance.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. However, in the meantime, answer me this…how many times have you been around her, spent quality time with her, while keeping your clothes on?”

Shrugging, I answered honestly. “A lot.”

“Okay. Have you thought about what your age difference means for having a family of your own? She’s probably approaching an age where risks become a factor. Not to mention, she already has a child—one who’s about to leave the nest. Does she even want more kids? Do you want kids?”

This wasn’t something Kristy or I had discussed often, but it had come up a time or two. Granted, the answers were more or less brushed over, so it wasn’t like I could give him anything definitive. At least I could share with him what I’d taken from the couple of conversations we’d had. “She’s not opposed to the idea of having more kids, though she’s not set on it, either. I would like a family, yet not having children won’t break me. That’s about all I can tell you, Dad. She kept her feelings guarded for most of the relationship, so long-term factors were much more of a hypothetical than something I could hang my hat on.”

“Fair enough. What about down the road…when she’s in her fifties and you’re in your thirties? Or you’re in your fifties and she’s in her seventies?”

“Well, I’m assuming you’re asking about the sexual aspect of things, and to be honest with you, I can’t answer that. I don’t have enough information about what happens to our bodies and at what stages of life those things take place. But considering that’s not why I want to be with her, I don’t think it matters much. My love for her won’t change, and to me, that’s the most important part.”

“You don’t think your feelings for her will ever change?”

“Of course they will.” This had to be the most awkward conversation I’d ever shared with my dad. He was perpetually single. So to hear him engage me in a discussion about love and making a relationship work could almost be laughable…if he weren’t so damn serious right now. “I’m not against making an effort on a daily basis. Or working hard for something that’s worth it. I understand there will be times I’ll have to put more energy into a relationship than the other person, and I’m okay with that.”

His gaze narrowed; however, right before the lecture I expected, he sighed and closed his eyes. Whatever had left his shoulders taut with tension vanished, until the man before me relaxed in his chair. And when he lifted his gaze, I couldn’t ignore the amazement that shone back at me.

“How the hell did this happen? You came here as a defiant fifteen-year-old. And now, I’m looking at someone with more wisdom than guys my own age. You were an immature know-it-all. I look at you now, and I’m blown away by how grown up you are, how mature your outlook on everything is. Your drive and determination astound me. And ironically, I wouldn’t doubt it if you actually did know it all.” He laughed, shaking his head, yet the pride in his eyes never waned.

“And to think…you moved away after Mom and you split because you didn’t think you could raise a child into a decent man. I guess I proved you wrong. I didn’t mess up when I was younger; I staged it all, just so I could come here and have the chance to become a pretty freaking great kid.”

“You’ve taken this compliment way too far,” he said with a laugh. But when his smile slowly faded away, I waited for what he had to say next, aware it wouldn’t be in jest. “So you’re sure a relationship with Kristy—or any other older woman—is something you’re prepared to deal with? You’ve thought about the obstacles? The toll it could take on you as a person, as well as on the relationship?”

“Yes, Dad. But again, I don’t think anything will come of it. She’s not going to let a relationship with me come between her and Emma, and I can’t fault her for that. And while Emma may not always disapprove, by the time she changes her mind or gives in, I can’t imagine Kristy will still be single. So either way, I’ve had my time, and I have to be appreciative of what we were able to give to each other while we had the chance.”

He rolled his eyes, his lips slowly curling at the corners. “Where were you when your mother and I were having troubles?”

“Either on the football field or in the Batcave.” We both laughed at the reminder of the permanent fort I’d had in my room when I was young. Mom had hated it, mostly because she constantly found half-eaten sandwiches hidden inside. Dad had hated it because in order to make it stay, I had to use his tools. Only a fraction of them were ever found again.