That man was infuriating. I slammed the door and stormed over to my desk. Sex was the only thing that was good between us, but Tim would never get it from me again. The thought of him getting it from someone else was unsettling, but I couldn’t go back to that toxic relationship.

I sat down and closed my eyes. I was still in that toxic relationship, but without the sex. He used to be so sweet, so caring. I had no idea what happened to the man I fell in love with or if he was still in there, but I hadn’t seen him for a long time.

The office phone rang and broke me out of my thoughts. Where was that guy I fell in love with? I looked at his office door as I picked up the phone. I missed him so much.

“Michaels Rehab. April speaking. How may I help you?”

“Hi, April. It’s Maggie.”

I smiled and turned my attention away from Tim’s door. “Hey, how are you? How was the honeymoon?”

“It was perfect. I never wanted to leave, but I couldn’t wait to get back and start my life with Brody.”

I was envious of her happiness with the man she loved, but I couldn’t have been happier for the both of them. They were perfect for each other. “The next time you’re in town, I want to hear all about it.”

“We can arrange that. I was calling because I wanted to know if Tim said anything to you about Brody’s visit.”

“Brody was here? I didn’t know. I mean, I assume you’re referring to Brody wanting to contact their dad, but I didn’t know Brody came here to talk to him about it.”

“Yeah, it was two weeks ago. Do you know if Tim is going to help him?”

“I don’t. Tim tried to reach out once after Brody left, but his dad didn’t really want much to do with him.”

Maggie sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m trying to tell Brody that it will be closure one way or another, but he really wants to have a relationship with his father. Have you ever met him?”

“No, but I’m not sure I want to.”

“Okay, if you hear from Tim whether he’s helping or not, could you send me a heads-up?”

“Brody needs him, doesn’t he?” I looked back to Tim’s door.

“Yes, he doesn’t want me anywhere near it until he talks to him, but I don’t want him to go alone.”

“I’m not making any promises, but I’ll see what I can do. When is Brody going?”

“He said if Tim doesn’t go, he’s going Friday.”

“As in three days?”

“Yeah. Do you sense my urgency now?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks.”

I hung up with Maggie and shook my head. I didn’t want Brody to go alone, but I also thought it would be better for Tim if he went, too. It would kill him to stay out of it and wonder what was going on.

“April, here’s your clipboard back.” Briggs walked in and placed it on my desk. “I finished putting everything away. Will you tell Tim I took care of it?”

“Sure.” I’d already told Tim he was taking care of it, but it gave me another reason to go see him. “Thanks for your help. You’ve been amazing.”

His cheeks pinked a little as he smiled. He just needed some encouragement and reassurance. His life would get back on track in no time. I looked at Tim’s door. Maybe someone else needed a little encouragement and reassurance. I sighed and stood up. Three days wasn’t a lot of time. The sooner I started the better.

I knocked twice and opened the door. Tim was typing away on the computer and either didn’t hear me or was ignoring me. I walked in anyway.

“Briggs wanted me to let you know he finished and put everything away from the delivery.”

“So give him a cookie.” He looked at me and lowered his eyes to my crotch before looking to my eyes.

“Really? That’s what you think of me? Just giving it up to—” I stopped myself and took a deep breath. He was baiting me, and I was falling for it. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

He turned his chair and gave me his full attention. “You came back to fuck?”

I clenched my jaw. “I told you that will never happen again.”

He shrugged and went back to his computer. “Then get out.”

“I was wrong.” That stopped him from typing, but he didn’t look at me. “I think you should go with Brody. You need the closure so you can move on.”

He started typing again. “I have moved on.” He looked at me. “From a lot of things.”

That was a direct hit, and I felt the full blow. I had to ignore it, though. “Brody hasn’t.”

“Why does everyone care so much about my brother? What about what I want?”

“You want your family. I know you do.”

“None of the family I thought I had stuck around to be part of my life. It’s easier this way.”

“But is it better? I want you to be happy, Tim. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”

He placed his hands on the desk and waited a moment before he pushed himself up. “Happy?” He turned to me and took a step forward. “After everything we’ve been through, you still want me happy?”

“Of course, I do. I still care about you.”

He took a few more steps closer. “A little piece of you still cares?”

“I’ll always care about you.” I looked at his chest as he stood inches from me. “We meant too much to each other once for me to completely stop caring.”

He took a step forward, so I took a step back. “Where are you going?”

“I just like my space.” I wasn’t sure what he was doing, but I wanted no part of it.

I turned to go to the door, but we were already there. I turned back around just as he placed his hands on either side of my head and pressed his body against mine. He bent down to lower his mouth to my ear and whispered, “What part of you misses me?”

He ran his lips over my jaw. I closed my eyes and tilted my head. At that moment, lots of me missed him. I put my hands on his hips. I missed that, too. No matter how much I wanted to feel him again, my heart couldn’t take it. I slid my hands up his chest and pushed.

“That’s the wrong way.” He kissed my neck, and I stopped moving my hands. “That’s it.”

I closed my eyes and held them tight. It felt so right to have his body pressed against mine, but everything in me screamed it was wrong. He cupped my breast and I bit my lip. I bunched his shirt in my fists. I wanted him, but I wanted all of him, not just a roll in his office.

When his fingers found the hem of my skirt, I found my strength and pushed my fists against his chest. “No.”

“No?” He pulled his lips away from my neck and looked at me. “I thought you said family was the most important thing to you.”

“It is.” I cupped his face. “I’m not family. I’m just a girl who you thought you loved once.”