For a moment she saw a flash of vulnerability in his eyes. He was at his wits’ end, scraping the barrel for reasons why she should go back to him, give him another chance. He’d never particularly got on with Brendon, or Georgie for that matter, but he’d never actually been rude to them. Not like this.

“Dylan,” she said. “There really is nothing left for us.”

“Don’t say that. There has to be.” He walked up to her and took her hands in his.

She resisted then pulled away, clutching her hands to her chest and retreating. Dylan didn’t deserve her hate, but he did have her pity.

Pity that she’d led him so far down the road that had their future stamped all over it.

She’d walked away feeling refreshed, new, excited about what life had in store. Yet it was clear she’d devastated him, wrecked his life and his soul.

Next time, if there was a next time mapped out in the Heavens for her, she’d have to be much more careful. Play the game better, handle hearts with more consideration. Treat hopes and dreams like the delicate webs of glitter they were.

“I have this.” Dylan dug into the pocket of his sweats, his fingers scrabbling at the base. “For you.”

“What?” Megan said, shifting from one foot to the other. She wanted to be kind, she really did, but she couldn’t take much more. She thought of James and how he would never behave the way Dylan was, she was sure of it. Even when she’d seen him outside the canteen with Grant and he’d clearly been upset about their situation, he’d still maintained calm control. He exuded gentlemanly politeness. Oh, except when they were in a cleaning cupboard and hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other—that hadn’t been so polite, the way he’d kissed her and whispered in her ear exactly what he wanted to do with her.

A shiver of excitement spread through her. James would be here soon. She just needed to get rid of Dylan…fast. She’d moved on, well and truly. She’d had a bite of something much more to her taste and there was no going back.

“Here.” Dylan stepped up to her, arm outstretched. In between his thumb and index finger was a silver ring with a large ruby set in it.

“What’s that?” Megan asked.

“It’s a new beginning, a new us.” Dylan dropped to one knee and looked up at her, his eyes pleading. “Let’s start fresh, wear this new ring, one that signifies rising from the ashes.”

“Oh my giddy heart, he’s only getting poetic!” Brendon paced to the window and flung one arm in the air. “Praise the Lord, Dylan, you old romantic.” He turned. “But it’s too little too late.”