Damon’s POV

Brenda had been quiet for a week.

Too quiet.

No long stares.

No lingering pauses.

No carefully chosen outfits whenever she showed up unannounced.

Instead, she waved politely from her porch, spoke only when spoken to, and made sure to keep at least two houses between us whenever we happened to be walking down the street.

Most men would call that peace.

Me?

I called it a relief.

I didn’t know what was going on in her head, but she was clearly trying to ...