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“Chet…”

“The ancient Greeks believed in tie…a before and after, if you will Newton believed in the absolute of time…that it exists and floith no concern to external factors Of course, Einstein said it’s all relative” I let out a huh as I opened the door

Sam sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly “Baby, you’re thinking too hard What can I do? Tell me what you want”

You

I wanted a life with hilements…a child, an ex, two jobs, and a host of complications beyond ift one put on their Christmas list, let alone confessed to in an emotional avalanche worthy of a Hallmark movie I couldn’t answer his question I couldn’t tell hi I could never ask for

“I want…I want the clocks to stop working in Decee, then kissed his cheek and stepped outside “Good night, Sam”

8

Sam

What the hell just happened here?

I had that sa I’d had the day Chet knocked on my door with a plate of cookies But this time, I was a little freaked out too What did ancient Greeks, Einstein, and stopping clocks have to do with…anything?

Look, I wasn’t a coured he was nervous and honestly, I was too

Soe and transformative had happened over the past feeeks I felt different Physically, I’d healed My sling was long gone, and I felt reat, but that wasn’t what fascinated me Sprains healed over ti heart and soul…I hadn’t counted on that part

I wasn’t sure what he’d done, but Chet had sole-handedly upend h a version of this with Jase years ago I’d learned to be wary of fabulous men who communicated with all the finesse of a steamroll I’d hardened my defenses and steered clear of temptation I noted my priorities and vowed never to let anyone on the inside Linc came first My wishes and desires could wait

But Chet wasn’t a stea like Jase or anyone I knew He didn’t use his looks or sex to worm his way in No, he’d been far craftier