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She deserves better than the man who disappeared three years ago.

And I intend to become that man.

“I'm gonna use the bathroom and take a shower,” she says softly. “Excuse me.”

I nod immediately.

“Okay.”

She slips into the bathroom, and I turn away to give her privacy.

But standing outside that door, I realize something.

I don’t get to be upset about this because everything happening right now is my fault, and I intend to be accountable.

After all, I’m the one who walked away.

I’m the one who taught her that forever could disappear overnight.

And now?

Now I have to earn her faith back.

Not with words.

Not with promises.

With actions.

And I fucking will. I vow it.

Every single day. Every minute of my life—I will work to earn her trust.

I will strive to be worthy of her if it takes forever—because that’s what she’s worth to me.

I hear the shower start.

Steam curls beneath the bottom of the door.

And I stand there in the quiet, rubbing a hand over my face.

I told her I'd give her time.

And I mean it.

But space?

Space is another matter entirely.

Because after three years without her, I finally have Amanda back.

And maybe it's obsessive.

Maybe it's unreasonable.

Maybe my therapist would tell me to calm the hell down.

Too bad.