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Rex’s eyes followed hers as she looked beyond where he stood and focused on that large piece ofsince Lucy realized what the night held in store “This is what you want”

Rex wasn’t one to ask He was the kind of coho took the reins, juiddy up”

“You couldn’t possibly understand what I want or need,” Lucy reht of the passion awaiting them

“I saw you that night You watched us I re existed there, overshadowing the resentment and betrayal”

“You kneas here?” she asked, realizing her voice cracked “Then why—”

“What could I do?” Rex asked, interrupting her

“You could’ve stopped,” she suggested quietly, halting just inches outside the double French doors leading to the dining room “You should’ve told her you didn’t care about her You should’ve told her you were falling in love with me!”

“Well then,” Luke said “Maybe you should’ve barged right in and told that gal she shouldn’t have been shooting whiskey with your fellas We can all point fingers here, but why bother? It’s the past, Lucy, and the fact is, none of us were ready for a co about leavin’ town”

“I should’ve done a lot of things, but Luke’s right There were other ways you could’ve handled yourself as well”

“What did you expectyours?”

Luke shoved his hands in his pockets “That would’ve been the best solution If you think about it, if you’d joined us, we ht have moved on from there”

Instead, years had passed They’d aged Lovers had conificant ained They’d met other people who perhaps impacted their lives, but hardly shaped them

“You never would’ve looked at ain,” Lucy whispered “And I wouldn’t have been able to forgive you for putting me in that situation”

Rex cupped her cheek and kissed her lips, hispast hers “Lucy, you would’ve been welcome You can always join us”

Lucy blinked Was he serious? Was he trying to seduce her while offering her a standing invitation to visit his bed anytiardless of who occupied the space beside him? She looked away from Rex and focused on Luke “Is that really what the two of you want and expect?”