Elsie drapes the lanyard with my name and conference pass over my head before giving me one final look-over . . . scowling when she lands on my feet.

“Are you sure you don’t want to wear the heels? I brought a pair with a block—”

“Nope,” I cut her off, because I don’t care what shape the torture device is, it still hurts. “I’m sticking with my boots, thank you very much.”

“Fine, if you insist.” Elsie gives in. “You still look great.”

Daisy nods in agreement. “You really do. And are you sure you don’t want us to go with you?”

I think about it for a moment before sticking to my guns. “I’m sure.”

This is going to be hard enough for me to do in a room full of strangers. I’m not sure I could do it with Daisy and Elsie watching . . . especially knowing that Elsie’s hopes and dreams for double dates and early looks at his books hang on my shoulders.

“All right.” Daisy pulls open the door for me, slapping my butt as I walk into the hallway. “Go get ’em, slugger.”

I don’t look back, because I know if I do, I’ll run back into the room with my tail between my legs. Instead, I keep my head held high and go to get my man back.

The walk to the conference room on the far side of the hotel is a blur of faces and overthinking as I go over and over what I want to say to him. But as soon as I walk into the room and see him sitting behind a long row of tables, immersed in a seemingly intense conversation with the man beside him, I forget it all.

Just being this close to him again soothes the aching in my heart I haven’t been able to get rid of since I saw him last.

He cut his hair; the long locks I loved so much are nowhere to be found. It’s cut low on the sides, but the waves on top are still kind of there. Even from across the room, I swear I can see the turquoise eyes I’ve dreamt about every night since we first met. But something about him seems different.

Maybe I’m making it up, but his smile seems smaller. Dimmer. Like maybe he’s been every bit as miserable as I’ve been since he left.

I sit in the last row, strategically planting myself behind a man who is much taller and much wider than I am. If I’m going to do this, I need to make sure it’s of my own accord, not because Jasper saw me in the crowd.

Plus, where’s the drama in that?

The rest of the attendees filter into the room, finding open seats and settling in when the moderator introduces herself along with all the members of the panel.