They stayed that way a long time, with him breathing in the scent that was Reggie and feeling his anger fade as wanting took its place. How would grown-up Reggie be different from the teenager he’d known? What would be new and what would be the same?

Not that he was going to find out. While he was glad she knew what had happened, her knowing didn’t change his fundamental belief that he shouldn’t get involved with anyone.

He stepped back. “Thanks for listening,” he said. “I’m sorry all this got dumped on you with no warning.”

“Don’t be. I’m honored Harrison trusts me with something that important.” She stared into his eyes. “It’s okay to forgive yourself, Toby. You don’t have to forget, but you need to accept that you’ve learned from your mistakes and you’ll do better next time.”

“Always seeing the good in people?” he asked, his voice teasing. Keeping things light was a whole lot easier than dealing with the dark stuff.

“No. I see the good in good people, and that’s you.”

She moved close, put her hand on his arm, then raised herself on tiptoe and lightly brushed his mouth with hers. “Good night.”

“Night.”

He helped her with her coat, then stayed by the door until she’d driven away. When she was gone, he headed for the stairs, knowing that whatever he wanted from Reggie, he was going to have to learn to do without. He liked her and he trusted her, but Harrison had to be his priority right now. No matter how Reggie tempted him, he was simply going to have to keep letting her walk away.

Twenty-One

Micah couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this good. It had been over a year—that he knew for sure. Losing Adriana and the baby had nearly destroyed him, but he was coming back to life. In some ways he felt stronger than he had before the accident. He believed even the darkest of times eventually eased. Scars weren’t anything to hide in shame—instead, they told a story and made him who he was.

He’d finished the song. Dena informing him that he was still in love with Adriana and that there would be no more kissing had somehow pushed him over the creative edge, so to speak. He’d worked into the night, until the song was done.

“Because the Snow Fell” was good. Really good. It would be a hit and a comeback for him, but more importantly, it affirmed that he could still write. Ever since finishing the song, he’d been flooded with ideas and was spending hours every day writing as fast as he could.