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“Really.”
“Nope. I’m taking care of you for a while, Reese. You’ll just have to deal with it.”
“Then tell me what is going on in your head.”
“Fine. Last night after I left the hospital, I wanted to drive my bike off a cliff. I couldn’t believe I’d hit you. I couldn’t believe I’d let myself get to this place in my life. It’s ridiculous.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Since Trent died, I have lived like a reckless fool. And the sad thing is, I didn’t care until I hurt you.”
Cheryse held his gaze, blinking rapidly.
It felt like his heart would slam out of his chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything this past year, Reese.”
It felt like there was finally some truth between them. After a minute, she said, “I’m grateful.”
He grinned at her. “Good. Me, too.”
Silence reigned.
Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, and he saw it was Roger. She pressed decline.
“Everything okay?”
She met his gaze. “Fine.”
“Good.”
She sighed. “He’s trying to juggle his schedule to come help me.”
Part of him had been looking for a way to bring this up. “Is he?”
“What?”
“Trying to come?”
“He has a big fundraising hospital project he’s working on right now in Virginia.”
Hunter was grateful. He kept his expression casual, not wanting to reveal that he didn’t want to deal with her boyfriend.
“He said he would come if I needed him.”
Hunter wasn’t sure what she wanted from him, but he had to make sure she knew. “Well, tell him you don’t, because I’m here.”
Cheryse seemed to be internally warring with herself.
He moved to her side and sat on the bench next to her, lightly taking her hand. “I know we talked this morning, but I just want to make it clear I want a second chance at being your best friend.”
“Roger is my boyfriend,” she said firmly.
“I know. I get that.” Not that he liked it, but … he had a lot to prove to her.
“Hmm.”
“What?” He pulled his hand back.
“You’re okay with helping me, but still respecting that Roger is my boyfriend?”
“That’s all he is?”
She nodded. “We broke up after you left last year, then we dated. Of course you know he wants to get engaged, but we’re not engaged. He’s my boyfriend.”
