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His fingers pause momentarily before resuming their slow rhythm. “I am.”

“Why did you tell me you were in freelance?”

He exhales. “Because I didn’t want to tell you the truth.”

I shift to face him, searching his face. His jaw hardens. “Why?” My voice is softer than I intended. “What’s so bad that you couldn’t tell me?”

Another hesitation. Another long sigh. He sets his cup down. “I’m retired.”

I blink. “Retired? How old are you, exactly?”

He smirks. “I’m thirty-eight.”

I gape. “And you’reretired?”

“I was a surgeon in the military. I served my time. And then I walked away.”

Military.The word slams into me. This was the one time I wanted to be wrong, but it made too much sense.

“And you didn’t want to tell me because of Ethan?” It makes sense. I just can’t believe I didn’t see it before.

His throat works as he nods. “Something like that.”

I exhale, shoulders loosening. I understand. I do.

He shifts, turning to face me. “Look, I know I should’ve been honest from the beginning, but there’s something I need to tell?—”

A sharp knock at the door cuts whatever he was going to say.

We exchange a look. Nate’s face darkens.

“Sorry,” I mutter, standing. “I’ll try to get rid of whoever it is.”

Nate pushes to his feet. “I should go get Nick anyway.”

This man. He’s always putting others first.

“Sorry, I can’t stay after I drop Nick off, but I’ll be back tomorrow so you can study.”

My heart stumbles. He’snotrunning. He’s staying.

Before I can respond, another knock—louder this time—echoes through the house.

“You better get that.”

I don’t want to. I want to snuggle back on the couch, tucked in Nate’s arms, and finish our conversation.

“Sis, let me in the door.”

I close my eyes, bracing myself for Jordan.

Nate tenses. “Do you want me to stay?”

Yes. God, yes.

But I shake my head. “It’s more important you get Nick. I can handle Jordan.”

He studies me for a moment before pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I know you can. I just don’t like leaving you here.”