Before we hashed everything out, I didn’t want to admit it to myself—that the connection was still there. His attractiveness hadn’t diminished since I’d left. If anything, he was more handsome and steadily becoming irresistible.

Sometimes, I would unintentionally catch my gaze lingering—on his face, down his body, on his lips.

But that had nothing on his mind. Owen had matured and grown into a man I respected. He didn’t sugarcoat anything and told me the truth, despite knowing how much it could hurt me.

The biggest change, though, was his open nature. He communicated well and, most importantly, listened. He was a lot more contemplative and severely honest, but in a way that I didn’t feel bulldozed.

Those new attributes were refreshing, our newfound dynamic pleasant—something I never would have expected.

I truly thought those events had changed him. And even though I hated to admit it, even to myself, he had transformed those heartbreaking circumstances and had worked on becoming a better version of himself. Which took immense strength and resilience.

Giving in, I ditched the playground and dropped down onto the picnic rug next to Owen, who was puffing after chasing the troublesome boys.

Once he calmed, I could already tell he was gearing up to explain what Cooper had revealed. And in doing so, he shocked the shit out of me.

“Alexis. Although I’m pissed Liam opened his big mouth to Junior over there… I also can’t blame him. Because everything he said was true. I am obsessed with you. I am sad and old. But most importantly, I am still in love with you. Never stopped.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out except air. There was no way I could deny that a certain heat spread through me at his declaration, like my body was switching back online as my heart picked up pace. Suddenly, I was thrust back to the first time we ever locked eyes as teenagers in our high school corridor. He was magnificent then, and still was… The way he was looking at me.

I gave myself a minute to process what he said; I didn’t want to reply without thought. He was being so genuine that I wanted to give him that in return.

“I’m not the same girl you used to know, Owen. I’m a mother now. Austin comes first. He will always be my top priority.” He surprised me by giving a huge grin instead of the disappointment I was expecting. “What?”

“You wouldn’t be a woman worth loving if he wasn’t your number one, Lex.” I blushed, but he kept on going. “I always knew you’d be an amazing mother. If anything, it’s made me fall in love with you more.”