For Tess.

And that was all that mattered—Tess.

I found her down in storage, in our corner. She faced the wall, her hand over her mouth and shoulders small.

“Tess.” I begged the word, and she turned, startled.

Her face shone with tears that she wiped away, straightening her spine, meeting my eyes.

I stepped into her, wanting nothing more than to pull her into my arms. But I didn’t for fear she’d push me away.

She swallowed hard, her brows knit together. “What does she want?”

“I don’t know for sure. She … she’s a little lost, I think, and I’m always the one she comes to when she’s trying to find her way.” I took another step. “Please, don’t cry, Tess.”

Her face bent, casting her gaze to her shoes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”

That was all the permission I needed. I scooped her into my chest, cupped the back of her head to hold her close. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I whispered into her hair.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” She sniffled and said against my chest, “God, I’m so ridiculous. You haven’t even been my boyfriend for a day, and here I am, blubbering.”

“Well, Wendy always did have a knack for making people cry,” I teased and was met with a wan laugh. “And I think I’ve been your boyfriend for a couple weeks now even if you didn’t.”

She chanced a look up at me. “It was easy to forget about her, thinking she was so far away. She was just a story in your past, not a person in your present. But you were married. Married. And she’s so pretty and charming and just like you.”

I sobered, my voice low. “I’m nothing like her. Tess, you’ve got to understand that she and I are complicated at best. But I don’t want her. I want you. And part of the reason I want you is because you’re nothing like her. You would never cheat on me, lie to me. Use me. Those lines, once crossed, cannot be uncrossed.”

She nodded, but her eyes were still unsure.

I captured her chin in my thumb and forefinger. “You, Tess Monroe, are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever known. Every little freckle, every little smile. Every hair on your head and curve of your body—especially this one.” I gave her ass a squeeze with my free hand, eliciting a chuckle. “You are perfect. And I’m irresponsible and unreliable.”

“And hedonistic,” she added.

“Yes, which I recall you enjoying.” Another laugh. “I don’t want somebody like me. I want somebody like you.”

Her sigh of concession and relief was coupled with a smile. “Kiss me,” she commanded.

And so I did, well and thoroughly.

The kiss broke when the news I’d been hanging on to wouldn’t stay put anymore.

“I had a very interesting meeting today,” I said, my hands clasped in the small of her back, keeping her flush against me.