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When I’d hugged him, he’d returned my embrace. How far would we have gone had I not pulled away? A kiss? More than that?

What if he’d been ready to make amends?

I nearly ran after him.

Common sense stopped me. A lot could be learned from studying the past, and I’d definitely learned from mine.

Grayson hadn’t just broken my heart eight years ago; he’d ripped it from my chest and stomped on it. Our relationship had been shattered beyond repair. There was no fixing it. No fixing us.

I made my way back over to the couch and fell onto the cushions, wishing I could shut everything out—my memories of the past, the emotions stirred up about what Gray and I used to be and would never be again.

I could still smell him. Could feel how warm he’d been against me when I’d pulled him to my chest. His heart had beat in sync with mine, thumping hard and fast. My breaths, as well as his, had turned shallow, as we’d fought urges for each other we hadn’t felt in years. I didn’t know if I could ever forgive Gray for what he’d done.

A tightening started in my throat, and my chin trembled.

And finally, the tower of cards collapsed, raining down the grief I’d held back.