Page 73

“Dayton?” I shake my head in disbelief. Then warmth floods my body.

Dayton Holden—my high school boyfriend.

“Lexy.” His eyes crinkle at the corners—the wide, charming smile, the half tilt of his head—all familiar.

I know we broke up back then, but I don’t remember doing it. And seeing the same smile on his face has me heaving a sigh of relief.

Some things remain the same.

He’s wearing business casual—a dark sweater with slacks, his golden hair swept up. The last eight years have treated him well.

“I heard you woke up. Sorry for not visiting sooner. I figured you needed time to process everything.” He takes a seat next to me.

“Gosh, I, I mean, I don’t even know where—” I’m speechless.Where do I start? How’s life? Thanks for remembering me? Have you seen Summer? I’m so happy to see you?

He chuckles, his laugh still sounding the same. “I know. It’s strange right? To you, probably no time has passed, but to me, high school was a long time ago.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I wanted to see if you’re doing okay.”

The Dayton in front of me seems calmer, more mature than the football captain I remember, the one who dragged me to parties, won beer pong contests, and gave me my first kiss.

“Thanks. So, how have you been?”

“Good. I run Holden Investments now. One of the top fifty firms in the country.” Pride glimmers in his eyes and I smile. He looks down and smacks his forehead. “Shit. I’m an idiot. These are for you.”

Dayton hands me the bouquet of lilies in his hand and a small flush creeps up his face.

“Ha. Thanks.” I bury my face in the fragrant flowers, inhaling the sweet scent. “You didn’t have to.”

When I look back up, I find his eyes intent on me, his gaze piercing. “Do I have something on my face?”

He reaches out and brushes the bridge of my nose with his finger. The spot behind my rib cage pinches again.

An echo—very faint—but before I can dwell on it, the sensations vanish.

“Pollen. There. All gone.”

“Uh. Thanks.” I grab the glass of water next to me and take a few sips, wondering why it’s so hot suddenly.

“So, how are you feeling? Rumor is, you have trouble with your memory?”

My eyes snap to his face, finding his brows pinched with apparent concern.

But there’s something…something I can’t grasp. I shake myself. This entire day has been insane.

“Yeah, unfortunately, the last memory I have is when I was sixteen. But lucky you, I still remember when you stole my parents’ car, and the guys TP’d it to prank you.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Seriously? Out of all the things you can remember, you remember this?”

I grin and waggle my brows. “You were so terrified because you just got your learner’s permit. It was hilar—”

Someone clears his throat, and I don’t need to look up to know who it is.

The temperature of the room drops ten degrees, but a sharp heat burns my back.

Swallowing, I look up, finding Ethan Anderson with his arms crossed over his chest, a dark storm brewing in those startling eyes.