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“Was it something I said?”

I shook the fog from my head as my mom’s voice across the room finally landed on my ears.

“No, I don’t think so, Mom.” I pushed a hand through my hair, uneasiness settling in my stomach.

“Maybe she doesn’t like Irish stew? Oh dear, I really should have okayed the menu with you both first.” “No, Mama.” I paused, eyes scanning the room and settling again on my mom’s concerned face.

“I’ve got a gut feeling about this.” I crossed the space and placed a kiss on her worried forehead.

“I think I’m gonna check on her. I just don’t feel right about letting her leave unaccompanied like that.

Would you mind if we rescheduled dinner?

” Her gentle old smile lifted. “My boy, such a gentleman. I’m so proud of you, son.

” She squeezed my arm. “Now go take care of your girl.” I nodded, thankful I had the kind of understanding mom who didn’t mind if I ran out on dinner last minute.

A few quick strides and I was out of the house and climbing into my truck, reversing out of the driveway and hot on Daphne’s heels.

It only took me a few minutes to cross town and turn down her quiet street.

I frowned, pulling into her driveway to find all of the curtains still drawn, the house looking vacant.

I turned off my truck, taking my time as I climbed out and formulated the words in my head.

By the time I reached the porch and was knocking, I was met only with silence.

“Daphne?” I called, worry starting to simmer.

“You in there?” I shuffled my feet at the door, wishing like hell I’d insisted on a key to her house before this moment.

Hindsight… Always a bitch. I jiggled the lock, affirming it was secure, before bending over the railing of her small porch and trying to peek through the folds of the curtains.

A dash of movement caught my eye from the darkness inside, a shadow playing tricks, maybe, or the woman of the hour.

“Daphne…” I went back to tapping at the door with my knuckle.

“I see you in there.” The door rattled. The sound of a body sinking down the length of the door and landing on the floor was unmistakable.

“Come on. Please don’t lock me out. Is it something I said?

I don’t give a rat’s ass if you’re mad at me.

Ream me up and down if you have to, but don’t lock me out.

” I pressed my forehead to the door, hovering my hand at the knob and willing her to open it.

“I'm sorry I ran out on your mom.” Her tiny words squeaked through the wooden cracks. My heart sighed with relief, my body sliding down the door until I was ass on porch. “She doesn’t mind. She’s just worried about you.

I am too.” Soft sobs sank into my ears, and my heart broke.

“Daphne, please tell me what’s wrong and what I can do to make it better.

” “Nothing.” Her cries turned up a level.

“The damage is done.” “Damage? Baby, what damage?” She didn’t answer, but I waited.

I waited and I listened to her tears, because even if I couldn't hold her, I could let her know I was there for her.

She could lock me out all she wanted, but I would never leave.

“Arkin! Oh my God, are you crazy? What are you doing out here?” An angel’s voice melted the sleep from my mind as I came to, early morning rays of sunlight streaming through the eaves of her porch roof.

“Morning, sugar.” I pressed up off the tiny welcome mat I’d been huddled on, one ear pressed to the door all night as I faded in and out of sleep to the sounds of her soft sobs. “I was prepared for at least a few more nights out here, if that’s what it took.”