I had less money. Most of it had been used paying Damian’s medical bills until his parents got involved, but no one knew. How do you tell family and friends that the person you thought was going to be your husband needed to put a note in the bathroom to remind him to brush his teeth? How do you do that and not have them look at your loved one in pity or look down on him? Because keeping your dignity is a thing. Sometimes it’s the last thing you have in situations like that, and you might be surprised by how far you’d go to preserve a thing called pride.

God.

I had to take a breath.

My life was a mess. Everything about me was a mess.

Maybe Trent was right. Maybe it was time to start facing life again? I mean, I wasn’t going to sign up for a Janet session. Not about that, but opening up? Telling people? I’d mentioned it to Reese. And Grant actually knew what Damian had. Both times, I hadn’t gotten worse. Both times, I’d panicked, but I couldn’t deny that I felt a tiny bit better afterward.

I took a breath.

I wasn’t… I was.

I pulled out my phone and texted before I could stop myself.

Me: My ex had early-onset dementia. It ran in his family. His father got it super young, and he did too. It’s why we ended things.

Me: And full disclosure, I’m gonna have a panic attack that I told you. I hope it’s not too much for our new friendship. I’m turning off my phone. See you when you get back. You don’t have to mention this if you don’t want to deal with it. Totally okay with me.

There.

I turned my phone off before Reese could text back. Yes. I was being a coward now, but I hadn’t been a moment before. That had to mean something.

I left my phone on his couch, turned off the laptop and his Wi-Fi, and went to the main lodge. The team would be arriving in a little over an hour, so Owen and Hadley would be setting up the food. I’d help.

I needed to stay busy or I was going to collapse.

Chapter Twenty-Two

I felt him before I heard him, when they arrived.

A hush came over the kitchen. Owen and Hadley stopped what they were doing, and Reese asked, “Where is she?”

I’d been in the back, putting away a mixing bowl.

Stepping around the corner, Reese saw me. His face clouded over, and he came into the kitchen.

Only staff was allowed back here, Reese didn’t care. No one said a word as he crossed past Owen and Hadley and took my wrist. He tugged me to Owen’s office and shut the door.

“I have to—”