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Chapters (50)
  1. Prologue
  2. Chapter One
  3. Chapter Two
  4. Chapter Three
  5. Chapter Four
  6. Chapter Five
  7. Chapter Six
  8. Chapter Seven
  9. Chapter Eight
  10. Chapter Nine
  11. Chapter Ten
  12. Chapter Eleven
  13. Chapter Twelve
  14. Chapter Thirteen
  15. Chapter Fourteen
  16. Chapter Fifteen
  17. Part Two
  18. Chapter Sixteen
  19. Chapter Seventeen
  20. Chapter Eighteen
  21. Chapter Nineteen
  22. Chapter Twenty
  23. Chapter Twenty-One
  24. Chapter Twenty-Two
  25. Chapter Twenty-Three
  26. Chapter Twenty-Four
  27. Chapter Twenty-Five
  28. Chapter Twenty-Six
  29. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  30. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  31. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  32. Chapter Thirty
  33. Chapter Thirty-One
  34. Chapter Thirty-Two
  35. Chapter Thirty-Three
  36. Chapter Thirty-Four
  37. Chapter Thirty-Five
  38. Chapter Thirty-Six
  39. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  40. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  41. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  42. Chapter Forty
  43. Chapter Forty-One
  44. Chapter Forty-Two
  45. Part Three
  46. Chapter Forty-Three
  47. Chapter Forty-Four
  48. Chapter Forty-Five
  49. Chapter Forty-Six
  50. Epilogue

“I think if that were actually the truth, he wouldn’t have been at that party on Saturday at all. If he—truly in his heart—was closed off to the possibility of anything with you, he never would’ve come. I know you don’t believe me, Stone, but I saw the way he looked at you.”

“I don’t know, Mol.”

“You can’t beat yourself up forever. Yes, you hurt him, but at the time, you did what you thought you needed to do. You were dealt a shitty hand, and you reacted the only way you knew how. Even if you had stayed, you wouldn’t have been any good to him in the state you were in. Forgive yourself… finally.”

“I can’t help but resort to feeling angry toward her. If she hadn’t been so selfish, none of this would’ve happened, and he and I could’ve had a chance.”

“How you’re feeling is valid and understandable. Have you talked to Corrine about it?”

“No.”

The soft smile that grazes her face is full of love. I know she means well, but fuck, I don’t want to go there.

“Think about it, at least. Talking to her would help, and I think you know that.”

“I hate you sometimes.” The smirk on my face gives me away.

“No, you don’t. You just hate that I’m right.” She sticks her tongue out at me before getting dinner out of the oven. “You know Julian and I went through hell to get where we are today. We didn’t get here by avoiding our feelings or wallowing in self-pity.”

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Cash DeMarco

“You look handsome tonight, Cash!”

“Thanks, Stella. You look nice as well.”

It’s Saturday night and I’m stuck at this fundraiser for the University. It’s black tie, stuffy, and I’d rather be anywhere other than here. Luckily, I haven’t run into Stone yet, but it’s only a matter of time. He’s one of the speakers, and it’s mandatory for all faculty to be here. It’s been almost two weeks since I stormed out of his office after I told him our hook-up was a mistake.

I’m still so fucking mad at myself for hooking up with him. For putting myself in the position for that to happen. I should’ve known better. I do fucking know better, dammit.

And now I feel like I’m back at square one. It’s like when he left five years ago all over again… except he didn’t leave. He’s here. I have to see him—not every day, but close enough.