“I really do love you,” I admit. “When you kissed me, it sparked something inside me that I never knew existed. I wanted to explore that and thought maybe if I gave us a chance, I could reciprocate the same romantic feelings.”

He scoots a little closer, flashing me his boyish grin. “I’ve been infatuated with you for so long that I had this whole scenario built up of how great we’d be together. I created something in my head that was never really there, even if I wished it were, and convinced myself I could make you love me if you gave me a chance. Turns out, it doesn’t work like that.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say in a hoarse whisper.

“No. Don’t be, Hads. I was foolish to assume we could just go from best friends to more when we were so good as friends already. This past weekend, I realized that although I’ll always love you, I’m not in love with you. It was more of me being obsessed with the idea of us. We’re much better as friends.”

I swallow back a sob before leaping toward him and wrapping my arms around his neck. He hugs me tightly before releasing me.

“I’ll never regret our time together. Ever,” I tell him honestly, though I don’t think Knox feels the same about our threesome.

As he tenderly brushes my hair off my cheek, he smiles. “Me either. Trust me, it’s goin’ in my spank bank.”

I snort, but then my emotions begin to bubble over, and tears stream down my face.

“Don’t cry,” he says as he gently wipes them away.

“You deserve someone who’s gonna make you ridiculously happy, and I want that so damn much for you. Whoever you end up with will be the luckiest woman in the world.”

He shrugs as if it doesn’t matter, but it does to me. “Hopefully, she’s out there waitin’ for me somewhere.”

“She is.” I wholeheartedly believe that. “You’re the perfect guy, Kane. Seriously, you have so much to offer.”

“Maybe someday.” The corner of his lips tilts up slightly.

“I’m so relieved I’m not losing you. I wasn’t sure you’d ever want to see me again after today.”

He smiles. “There’s nothin’ that’d ever make me not want to be in your life. We’ve been through thick and thin, Hads. That’s not gonna change just because we tried to be more, and it didn’t work out.”

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“So that was it?”

I choke out a laugh. “Yep, I guess so.”

He checks the time. “Then I should probably get back to work. Riley’s been actin’ like a dick lately, and I need to finish stocking the hay before the next group of trail riders arrives.”