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“I did do something with my life!”

“You work at a flower shop. That’s not you. That’s not what you were meant to do.”

“I’m so goddamn sick of you thinking you know what’s best for me.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I know you better than anyone. I know you better than you know yourself.”

“God, you are a piece of work, Danny O’Brien. How have we not killed one another by now?”

“I’d never hurt you.”

I laugh. “You hurt me the most.”

He doesn’t laugh.

Chapter Twenty

Bexley

2015

I exhale as I pull up to the curb of our house. Samuel’s truck is here, but there isn’t a single light on in the place. We have a white picket fence that surrounds the yard with a small gate. The sidewalk goes up the middle to the beautiful porch Samuel expanded around the house. Evergreens hang from above, and there’s seating on every side.

Our front door is big and crimson. Our shudders are black, and the house is a magnificent white. Samuel and I worked hard on this home. We’ve made it our own and I absolutely adore living here.

I swallow, nerves swarming in my stomach. I grip the steering wheel. I don’t know when he’s going to ask me, but I do know I will say yes to marrying Samuel. I love him. We have a nice life that most people would kill for.

I will let go of my past, and I will focus on my future. I study the yard as the moon shines down on it. I picture kids running around, jumping through a water sprinkler and a dog chasing behind them.

That’s a good life.

I exhale, giving the night a nod.

This is it.

This will be it.

Once I agree to marry Samuel, I will shut off my feelings for Danny. I will let him go, because I’ve chosen my path and he’s chosen his and neither one of us fits on the others.

It’s as simple as that.

With that affirmation, I shut the car off and get out. I grab a fresh bouquet that I put together at the shop after I left Danny in the alley and head inside.

My tan trench coat hits the back of my black stockings as my heels tap against the sidewalk. I take a step onto the porch, and that’s when I see a flicker of fire in the living room. I open the door that’s already unlocked and the hand with my keys in it goes to my mouth as I hold on to the flowers.

My eyes scan over every inch of this place covered in burning candles, and not just any candles, but my favorite––frosted cranberry. The fireplace is going, and I hear music coming from the radio. I walk over to the couch, sliding over a candle or two so I can put the flowers down. I remove my coat, straightening out the sleeves on my hunter green dress.

“Samuel?” I call out.

“Hey, Bex.”

I twist around when I see him standing near the hall that leads to the kitchen. He leans against the white shiplap. His arms are crossed, his feet bare. Samuel wears worn jeans and no shirt. His skin is still tan from working outside all summer. His chest is defined, his arms perfect. Samuel’s veins twitch under his forearm and he has no idea how hot I think that is.

Especially when he’s on top of me.

He’s a beautiful man inside and out.

“What’s all this?” I ask with a smile, trying not to let the conversation I had with Danny ruin anything.