Page 63 of Reality With You (Arden Beach #1)

SIX YEARS AGO

Blurred lights. The scent of his favorite laundry detergent on her sweatshirt. His weak apology repeating over and over in her head, instead of a plea for her to stay.

E rin was already standing outside the door to her condo, waiting for her in her silk robe.

Lennon dragged her luggage from the elevator across the carpeted hallway.

When she joined Erin at the door, they simply looked at each other, having a wordless conversation.

Erin’s compassion wrapped around her like a hug.

“I left him. I left Dyl—” Lennon choked on the rest of his name. Her face cracked open around a silent cry as Erin reached for her.

Lennon collapsed in her arms, dragging them both down to the floor outside the door. Erin held her, leaning against the threshold and rubbing Lennon’s back as painful sobs wrenched from her lungs.