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Rhys glanced over his shoulder, discovering Archer back in the doorway His longtihts as he added, “Stop punishing yourself for all the things you can’t change, Rhys She’s good for you And you’re good for her”

“Let’s hope you’re right about that,” Rhys said

Zoey had spent theup some of her clothes, but by noon, she couldn’t stand the fa in her throat She had four clients today, but they were all late-afternoon and evening appointet out, she headed to one of Brooklyn’s ry Kitty While a part of her was excited to move home to her family in a feeeks, she couldn’t stop a question fro in her mind: Why did I meet Rhys now?

Why couldn’t she have ed She didn’t feel like the same woman who’d decided to confront Jake and Scott The woman anted to run back to her ho how Rhys made her feel He was a dream come true, a fantasy she didn’t know she ever wanted And the thought of leaving this new life she’d found er Because this wasn’t just erotic sex anyled into the mix Which was precisely why she’d asked Rhys to meet her at the café for a coffee She could run and hide fros, but she decided to confront them See if what she felt was real, or if the fantasy of Rhys created feelings that weren’t really there

An older couple strode by, hand in hand, and Zoey s in her purse One look at the screen had her feeling terrible Zoey had already missed one call and barely answered two texts To avoid herthe police over for a wellness check, she picked up “Hi, Mom”

“She’s still alive, thank goodness,” her mom joked

Her mom’s voice eet and tender and could make Zoey feel better whenever she heard it “Yup, alive and doing well,” she replied, leaning back against the brick wall

“I hear that You sound happy Getting excited to move home?”

“Mm-hmm” Zoey instantly realized her mistake

Herfroed your mind?”

Had she? Undecided, Zoey stared out at the cute pug walking its human down the street, across the road, and adht now I’ot this life here that’s hard to walk away from”

“You can always change your ently, the war into the cold spots inside Zoey’s chest as she added, “So out to see if it’s really what you want Perhaps thistoo fast You know I selfishly want you home, but we make it ith you out there Perhaps we can all put h”

Zoey’s throat tightened, confusionher head hurt This wasn’t the plan It had never been the plan Why was she even questioning this? “I miss you, Mom”

“Ah, , we miss you too”

Zoey shut her eyes, guilt nearly drowning her There were a thousand things she wanted to say to her ,” she asked