He flinched like I’d slapped him. He stepped toward me, his eyes screaming things I’d never hear him say, his mouth twisted in anger and … shame. “But even so, please stay.” His hand, rough and warm, slipped around the back of my neck. His gaze flicked to my mouth and then back to my eyes. “For her.”

My breathing grew shallow, betraying the effect he had on me. He was so close. His eyes so tortured. His mixed-messages were breaking me. It hadn’t been meaningless, but he wouldn’t admit it. He wanted me, but he wouldn’t allow himself to.

My fingers closed around his wrist and pulled his hand from my skin because, God knew, I couldn’t think clearly with him touching me, with his eyes conveying wants and needs he’d never allow himself to indulge while he ignored what it had cost me to admit my feelings.

The faint crease between his eyebrows deepened.

I took a shaking breath and lifted my shoulders as if I could ease the splintering inside me. “As I said, I love Dauphine.” Dread at the idea of being around Xavier after what we’d shared was like cement in my stomach. “For her, I’ll stay. For a few days at most,” I added. “To make sure she is okay. But more than that, I cannot do. Please try to stay out of my way, and I will try to stay out of yours.”

Somehow, I made it to the door. “Please have Evan bring my passport and my belongings as soon as possible.” I turned the handle and stopped. Turning my head, I looked him dead in the eyes. The words, “You coward,” danced on my tongue. “I hope one day you realize you are worth loving,” I said instead. Then I slipped through and closed the door behind me.

I raced silently up the stairs to my bedroom and flung myself onto the bed.

Down the hall, I heard Dauphine murmuring in her sleep, and I waited, tense, until I heard Xavier pad quietly up the stairs. He would be with her if she woke. Only then, did I let the full weight of everything hit me.

And when the crying was done, I asked myself how I’d gotten here. Not just emotionally, but physically. So, I’d had a hiccup in my career, I should have stayed in Charleston, in my own life, and fought for what I wanted. I wasn’t mad at Tabitha and Meredith, but I wondered at myself that I’d so easily gone along with this harebrained idea. My mother had been right, I’d run away.