Kayla was in the middle of showing Tommy how to make gumbo when her newly installed bells rang on the café’s door.

“We’re closed for the afternoon,” she called out, not bothering to turn around. “Come by tomorrow after eight AM and the first cup of coffee will be on me.”

“First cup of coffee is always free.”

Kayla froze, her hand hovering over the steaming pot of chicken, sausage, bell pepper, and celery.

“Sprinkle in the salt, Ms. Kayla,” Tommy whispered.

But she couldn’t. She was a statue, cold and unmovable.

Tommy grabbed her hand and turned it to the side. “Go take care of him, and I’ll take care of this. You said turn down the heat, cover, and let it simmer for forty-five minutes.”

“Uh-huh.”

He gave her a little shove. “Go on. I got this.”

Slow as molasses, she turned to face the man who’d left her brokenhearted almost four weeks ago. She searched his face before she spoke, hoping for signs of regret...and found them, right in his silver gaze.

It was too late.

“I’m sorry,” he said, stepping closer to the bar. “I want you to know that. I’m truly sorry for the way I left.”

“Thanks for letting me know. You can go now.”

“I didn’t drive almost eight hours just to apologize and leave.”

Anger boiled inside of her. “I’m not making it worth your while to stay.”

Tommy coughed, and she turned to him. He shook his head. “I need to peel some potatoes for the hash browns.”

“Actually, I came here not only to apologize, but also to give you an update on Brad Hadley.”

Her heart leaped into her throat as she remembered what Bryce had to say about her ex.

“For what it’s worth, he was a sorry fucker for leaving you. Hell, if it were up to me, I’d track him down and make the bastard sweat a little before I persuaded him pay you back. Plus interest.”

She tipped up her chin. “What about him?”

“He’s been arrested. Petty theft in Austin.”

“He has?” she heard herself say.

“Yeah, and you’re not the first woman he swindled. You weren’t the last either.”

“There were others?” Her stomach roiled at the thought of him with other women, not because she wanted him, but because she knew how charming Tate could be. She swallowed. “How many?”

“I’d rather not give you the details.”

The floor tilted, and she grabbed the counter. Bryce rushed forward, but she held him at bay with a hand. “I’m fine. Just shocked.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “At least he can pay for his crimes now. He can pay every last dime he owes to us.”

“Yeah...about that.”

“I know, Bryce. I’m not at all likely to ever see a penny, but if all of us were to sue him, then he could at least be held accountable in public. We’d be vindicated and other women warned.”

Admiration entered his gaze. “What happened to the woman who wanted to keep it a secret?”

“She got tired of catering to what everyone else wanted.”

“Good.” He smiled, but it was tired, much like he looked at the moment. His clothes were wrinkled, and his hair stood out in odd places. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know in person instead of over the phone.”

“Wouldn’t have answered anyway.”

“I deserve that.”

“You deserve to have your tail kicked.”

*

Yeah, he did deserve that, and more, Bryce thought. “Do your worst, sweetheart. I can take it.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re not worth the effort.”

“You are,” he said, and her pretty eyes widened. “You’re worth every sleepless night I’ve had. Every missed meal. Every last dime I spent tracking that asshole of an ex down for you. Everything...you’re worth everything.”

“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t say what you don’t mean.”

Her defenses were crumbling—even he could see it. Taking a risk, he dared another step closer, and then another, until he could reach out and touch her.

He caressed her cheek. Her eyes closed. “Please, Bryce. I can’t go through this again.”

“I can’t take it anymore either. I’m fucking miserable without you,” he said roughly. “Give me another chance. I dare you.”

Her eyes opened. “You broke my heart.”

“I’m sorry. You can have mine and do whatever you want with it,” he said, genuinely meaning it.

“I fell in love with you, and you couldn’t handle it.”

“I’m stronger now. Being without you made see how weak I am. I need you in my life,” he insisted. Never had he worked so hard to say the things he meant from his heart. Never.

She grabbed his hand and pulled it to her heart. It beat strongly against his palm. “I was strong, and you showed me how weak I was when you left.”

“Let’s be strong together. That’s the only option that makes sense. We make sense.”

“My life is here,” she said, her voice cracking. “I can’t leave my dad. I’m all he’s got.”

Bryce kissed her forehead. “Then don’t. I’ll come to you. We’ll make it work. Promise.”

“But—”

He kissed her gently, taking the time to explore her mouth. The one he’d missed so much that it physically hurt to think about kissing her. He kissed her with everything inside of him. He was sure it was love. It had to be. Nothing else could tear him up inside like this.

Nothing.

“Give me one last chance,” he murmured against her lips. “I dare you, Kayla. I dare you to love me as much as I love you.”

“Don’t you let me down, Bryce. I’m taking a chance on loving you. So don’t you dare let me down by doing something as stupid as leaving me again.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.