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“Tellme what you want,Steph.”

Mybottom lip trembles. “Iwant you to hate me for whatIdid to you.”

Hisfingers fan out and run through his dark locks. “AndifIcan’t?”

Tearsspill over the brim of my eyes, dripping down my face like a cleansing rain. “ThenIwant a second chance.”

Chapter34

“Skeletons”

–Heartist

Mydeepest desireis finally out in the open between us, andIfeel likeIcan’t breathe with his dark eyes taking it all in: me, whatIwant the most, and the fact that we’re on a date.

Zakfollows the tears trailing down my face. “WhataboutTy?”

“I’vebeen trying to get him to leave.”

“AndDree?”

Myexpression falters. “We’renot speaking to each other right now.”

Hefaces forward, polishing off his drink and refusing a third from the bartender.Hecloses his eyes and takes a deep breath.Amoment later, they reopen and he says, “You’regetting rid ofTy.Iknow he’s important to you, but he won’t stop chasing after you.You’remine, andIwant that made clear to him once and for all.”

Emotionthickens in my throat, melding together with the sting of lime untilIgulp it all down.

Ihave to put my foot down, both for the sake of mending things withZakand keepingTysafe, whether he wants it or not.

“AndIdon’t know what’s goin’ on between you andDree, but when you figure it out… don’t run from me.Iwant you to talk to me about it.”

“Okay.”ItakeZak’shand and twine our fingers together, bringing it to my lips to plant a kiss on the grayscale rose stamped on his left hand. “Okay.”

Heturns to face me, reaching over to swipe away the trails of tears. “You’rethe love of my life, babe.Iwanna figure things out with you.”

Thenext breathItake feels likeI’mbreathing for the first time in two years. “I’dreally like that, hon.”

Asmile brightens his features. “Let’sdance.”

Ifollow him to the middle of the now-deserted bar.Hetwirls me around with a beam, and whenIsnap back, my arms immediately snake around his waist to draw him closer.Irest my head on his shoulder.Myeyes close, andIlet myself bask in his body heat as his strong arms surround me.

Zak’schest rumbles under my ear, as if he’s purring in content.

“I’msorryImade you feel like you weren’t enough,”Iapologize.

Hedoesn’t respond.Hisarms cinch a hair tighter, chin resting on top of my head.

“AndI’msorry—”

“Babe,” he interrupts, holding my face in his hands, “Idon’t want any more apologies.Iwant you to do what you say you’re gonna do and sendTyback toAtlanta.”

“Iwill,”Ipromise quickly. “Ijust—”

“I’msorryIkilled you,” he whispers, eyes dark and clouded with sorrow.

Knowingthat place is merely yards away from where we stand has the lump returning to my throat the longerIstare at him.Atthe same time, though, my heart recognizes the love of my life before me wanting to make amends and move forward together despite the past mistakes, the hurt and the pain we’ve caused one another.

Zakis and always will be my home.