The moment broken, Reese jumps back like she’s been shocked, her eyes blinking at me before she turns away.

“Be right there,” she calls. And then she hurries away and I have to wait a few seconds, gathering my wits and calming my body before I can follow.

The ride home is just as intolerable as the ride there was. I’m still crunched up on Beast’s giant lap with my head tilted at nearly a ninety-degree angle, except now we’re all full of food, making the space even more cramped.

I can’t stop thinking about the strange moment in the barn. Or maybe it was only my strange moment. She didn’t seem affected, talking to Annabel and Jude like nothing happened.

I couldn’t have imagined it though. Could I?

Annabel drops us off, not even bothering to turn off her car despite Jude asking her to come in for a spell.

It’s an odd moment, Jude offering out of normal hospitality, Annabel’s shoulders getting tense while she avoids eye contact with everyone. Jude shrugs and exits the vehicle while the rest of us tumble our way out.

Abby left me a note on the front door.

After giving it a glance, Jude hands it to me without a word.

Please call me.

I crumple it up and shove it in my pocket.

It’s an unusually quiet night. Beast does the books in the kitchen with Reese. I’m caught up on homework and end up in the living room with Jude, who puts on another romance movie. This one is about two assistants trying to set their bosses up to free up more time for themselves. And of course, they fall in love.

It’s not too bad. I would be into it more if Jude didn’t keep yelling, “Taye Diggs is the man!” every ten minutes.

My thoughts are too distracting. Reese. Abby coming over. The note she left.

I’m not going to be able to keep her away forever. It might be better to get it over with. I need to tell her to back off and give me space, and I need to do it in a situation I can control.

I stand up and head through the sliding doors and into the backyard. It’s weird to be out here when it’s empty and quiet.

Phone in hand, Abby’s contact information lighting up the screen, I stare down at her name. Before I can overthink it, I push the call button.

She answers on the third ring. “Fitz. I’m so glad you called. I’ve missed you so much.”

She doesn’t sound drunk at least.

“I’m sorry about the other night,” she says.

“Which one?”

She blows out a harsh breath. “That’s fair. You know I’m sorry about so many things, but I shouldn’t have . . . gone after you after I’d been drinking. It’s just . . . I miss you.”

I swallow. I can’t really say I miss her too. It’s not the truth. “We’re not getting back together, Abby. And I need some space. You gotta stop coming around here.”