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Blair slips inside and closes the door behind her.

Her words follow me back to the truck.

By the time I turn onto my street, Aspen is dead asleep in the back seat. She spent the entire night surrounded by family and Blair, and apparently, the excitement took everything out of her.

I pull into the driveway, wondering how the fuck I’m going to carry her inside without waking her.

Then I see the silhouette on my porch.

My stomach drops.

Three years.

Three fucking years, and I’d know that silhouette anywhere.

I look in the rearview mirror.

Aspen is still asleep.

Thank fuck.

I climb out, closing the door as quietly as I can before stalking toward the porch.

The woman stands.

I stop at the bottom step.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

Twenty Six

Dean

“Dean.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “You’ve got about thirty seconds before I make you leave my property.”

Courtney’s face tightens. “I know I deserve that.”

“Do you?” I ask.

“Yes,” she answers quietly.

“Good. Then we’re making progress,” I reply with a bitter laugh.

Her gaze shifts past me toward the truck. “Is Aspen with you?”

My entire body goes rigid.

“Don’t,” I warn her.

Courtney looks back at me. “I only asked.”

“You showed up unannounced at her home after barely being part of her life for three years.” I point toward the road. “You don’t get to only ask.”

“I’m not here to fight with you,” Courtney says.

“Then why are you here?” I demand.