Page 2 (2/2)

At the sound of Vance’s deep voice, Shayla looked up Their gazes connected, and she opened hercame out Her throat closed up and her heart rate sped When her face felt as if it were on fire, Shayla groaned Oh please, not now She sian to tingle and her eyes felt as if they were bulging out of her head, Shayla knew that was exactly as happening

Vance stepped forward and took hold of her shoulders, his expression filled with concern “Hey, you okay?”

Shayla couldn’t get her mouth to work properly, so she shook her head instead Her hand went to the front of her turtleneck sweater and yanked in an attes It didn’t help; nothing would She felt Vance tugging her coat off, and within seconds, he had her sitting on the couch

Vance crouched in front of her “Easy now,” he murmured “Just relax and take a few deep breaths”

She did as he instructed, and when her face started to cool down, she knew the anxiety was beginning to pass A large palm pressed to the back of her neck and rubbed For aVance’s gentle palainst her skin After so many years without his touch, she wanted to soak in every second Too soon, he wasaway He sat in the chair across from her, his expression unreadable

“Thanks,” she said “I’m not sure what happened there”

He cleared his throat and sat back “Now that you can breathe, care to explain why you’ve decided to show up on my doorstep after all this time?”

Here goes nothing “I wanted to clear the air,” she blurted out

Vance’s gaze shot wide “Are you for real?”

Oh yeah, there’s that Vance Jennings temper “I know I don’t deserve it,” she said, “but please listen to me”

Vance shrugged “Why would you think I’d even care? It’s been twelve years, Shay A lot of time has passed”

She held up her hands, pal, but aren’t you a little bit curious? Didn’t you wonder why I wrote that letter telling you we needed some time apart?”

“No,” he bit out, “because I already knehy”

Her own temper flared He was so sure he had all the answers, but Shayla knew better this time “Oh really?”