LAKE

I showered and shaved. I finally felt alive after a week of misery, all because of pride.

I didn’t mind if love made me this way, giving me a reason to move forward. Rusher was right. I should have been there for her after that traumatic situation in her life.

I still had a towel wrapped around my waist when she came to my walk-in closet.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hi.” I turned around, and she was smiling— the smile I had missed for a week. It ...