Page 149 of The Lumberjack and the City Slicker

The truth hangs there.

“I’m still figuring it out, Greyson,” I add. “But I know I don’t want Geoffrey.”

Greyson exhales slowly.

“And you don’t get to question my loyalty because you’re scared,” I say quietly. “Not after everything.”

He winces.

That one hit.

“You’re right,” he says.

The admission is low. Hard-won.

“I’m sorry,” he adds. “I shouldn’t have?—”

“Assumed?” I finish.

“Yeah.”

The anger in me softens, but it doesn’t disappear.

“You don’t get to fight for me and then doubt me in the same breath,” I say.

His eyes close briefly.

“Shit, I didn’t mean,” he murmurs.

We stand there in the quiet, the adrenaline fading, leaving behind something more fragile.

He steps closer, slower this time.

“Did he hurt you?” he asks, voice gentler now.

“No.”

His hand hovers near my arm like he wants to check but doesn’t know if he’s allowed.

I let him touch me.

Light.

Careful.

“I mean it. I’m not going anywhere with him,” I say firmly.

He nods once.

“Good, cause I’m not letting him near you again,” he replies.

A corner of my mouth lifts despite everything. “You made it quite clear how you feel about that.”

“I barely touched him.”

I snort.

His lips twitch.