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She shook her head and lowered her voice. “I can’t do that because I care about you. I went through the same thing with Flint. I walked away from him, thinking it was the right thing to do. But I was miserable without him. I thought my career was more important. I was a complete and total stubborn cow. But how I felt for him ended up overruling all logic. It was hard, but love is worth fighting for. Don’t make a mistake and throw something amazing away.”

“I’m happy you worked things out. Flint is a good guy.”

“So is Lewis.”

“Yeah. But no matter how crazy we were for each other, we couldn’t make it work.”

She swiveled toward me, clutching my hand on her lap. “Being crazy for each other should be a reason to stay together. Love is so hard to find. He fell in love with you. Not anyone else. Make it work.”

She made it sound so easy, but it wasn’t. “Sizzling-hot chemistry isn’t enough to survive. That burns out.”

“Not if you don’t let it.” She smoothed her hand over the back of my hair. “Every time you were with Lewis, you got that sexy banter on, you went on crazy adventures, you hung out with the band, you had fun. Don’t you miss that? Isn’t that worth building on?”

I lowered my chin and fumbled with my fingers in my lap. I’d never connected with anyone else on so many levels. He’d made me laugh. Seen through my bullshit. Pushed me to try things within my limitations. He was perfectly flawed, perfectly fabulous, and perfectly fucked up—as much as I was. But he deserved to be with someone who wasn’t as broken as me. “It’s not enough.”

“Yes, it is.” She jabbed her sharp fingernail into my bicep. “You’ve got to stop being so stubborn. You could do what you love and be with him every day. Be with the guys. How amazing would that be? I’d be so jealous.” She sank back into her chair. “Stop letting your past rule you. Focus on the future and what makes you work.”

“That’s just it. What could I possibly offer him long-term?”

She lowered her voice. “What can you give him that no one else can?”

I searched my brain but came up blank. Crap.

There was a shuffle and disturbance behind us. We spun around, and in walked Flint, carrying a tray of takeout coffees.

“Argh!” Sutton jumped from her chair and rushed over to him. Flinging her arms around his neck, she kissed him on the lips. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

He snaked his free hand around her waist, clutched her ass, and tugged her forward, flush against his body. “I came to see you before I have to head to a meeting and thought I’d drop off better tasting coffees than what the canteen provides for you and Tee.”

She swiped her thumb across his lips, then cupped his cheek. “Have I told you I love you?”

“Yes. Love you too.”

My heart stumbled against my ribs. I loved that they were so happy. Flint always went out of his way to be with Sutton. He surprised her and made her feel special and never hesitated in letting everyone know they were together.

Shit. Lewis had wanted to do that. He’d never wanted to hide behind closed doors like Phil had, and he’d never lied about his ex like Rhett had. He’d wanted to be mine.

My stomach fluttered for all of two seconds before it fell flat.

I’d fucked us up. I was too afraid of being hurt.

I’d ignored his texts. His calls. His efforts. There was no fixing us.

It was time to build a bridge and get over Lewis.

Move on.

Filming wrapped just after five o’clock. Gathered around the studio set, I shared a few tears and hugs over too many glasses of champagne with the cast and crew. They were an amazing bunch of people, but the show wasn’t for me.

I stumbled through the door at home just after ten o’clock, drunk. I curled into a ball on the sofa and hugged a cushion to my chest. My head and heart wouldn’t stop spinning, hurting. I didn’t want to feel like shit anymore. I wanted the chains around my soul to break. I had a new life ahead of me. I should be happy. I should be excited.

But a tear slid down my cheek.

Cole came out of the music room and fell onto the seat beside my head. He stroked my hair. “Hey, Tee. You look and stink like shit. Congrats on finishing the show.”

“Thanks.” I sniffled.

“Why aren’t you dancing around and jumping for joy?”