Page 132 of What Comes Around

I swallowed hard and opened the door.

Nick’s eyes lifted to mine, and for a moment he just stared, like he wasn’t sure I was real.

“Ashley,” he said quietly.

My name in his voice sent a crack straight through my chest. I hadn’t heard him say it in years.

Titan stepped forward slightly, placing himself between us, his massive body a clear warning.

Nick’s eyes dropped to the dog, then back to me.

“You got a guard dog,” he said.

“Yes.”

“Can I come in?” Nick asked after a moment. “It’s cold, and… I don’t think this is a conversation for the front step.”

I hesitated. Every instinct told me to say no. To close the door and lock it. To keep the past exactly where it belonged.

But in the end, I stepped back.

“Come in,” I said quietly.

Titan didn’t move. His massive body remained planted between us.

“It’s okay,” I told him softly. “Titan. Move.”

He didn’t look convinced. His dark eyes flicked between Nick and me, reluctant.

“Titan,” I repeated more firmly.

After a second, he obeyed, stepping aside just enough to let Nick pass. But he stayed close to me, brushing against my leg.

Nick stepped inside slowly, his gaze moving over the house as if taking in every detail. He shrugged off his coat and held it in one hand, a little awkward, like he wasn’t sure where to put it.

“Nice place,” he said.

“Thanks.”

I gestured toward the living room and we moved in, Titan glued to my side the entire time. Nick sat on the couch while I took the armchair across from him, keeping a deliberate distance between us.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“It’s been a long time,” Nick said finally.

“Yeah.”

“You look… different.”

“So do you.”

He gave a small, humorless smile. “Guess that happens.”

Silence settled again, awkward and heavy.

“I saw the news,” he said. “About yesterday. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”