“You make so much sense that it’s scary. If I believed I really lost her…” His breath caught in his throat and he clutched at his chest. “I can’t even think about that possibility. I couldn’t have lost her, because we belong together. I know she loves me, too, but she has to decide to choose me. I need to give her space and figure out a few things on my end.”

“And then?”

“Once I have my life in order, I’m coming back to convince her that we’re meant to be together.”

“Good for you.” Landon came up to him and folded him into a bear hug. “You’re a better, stronger man than I was in the face of heartbreak.”

“Thanks, hyung.” He hugged his brother back tightly, then let go. “I wish it didn’t hurt so much in the meantime. I miss her so much that I can’t breathe sometimes. It’s taking everything in me not to run to her right now.”

“I’m so sorry, Seth.” Landon sighed deeply. “So is she someone from around here? Would Aubrey know who she is?”

“Yes,” he said, wondering how much he should tell Landon. But what was the point in keeping secrets? They were family and he needed all the support he could get. “Aubrey knows her exceptionally well. It’s Tara.”

“What?” Landon’s voice rang in the room, and he cringed. The baby was asleep, and they listened to hear if she woke up. The house remained silent. With a sigh of relief, his brother said in a more moderate voice, “Tara? How did that happen?”

“It just did. I don’t think anyone can plan who you fall in love with.”

“Of course, kid. I was just surprised.” His eyes suddenly widened. “Aubrey rushed out earlier to see Tara. She said it was an emergency. I wonder if it has anything to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with him.” They turned to the quiet voice in the doorway. Aubrey’s wide eyes filled with tears, and she rushed to hug Seth. “It’s you. You’re Tara’s guy. I’m so glad and so sorry that it’s you.”

“Did you … did you just see Tara?” Seth said, his voice breaking.

“I did. I put her in bed and stayed till she fell asleep.” She searched his eyes. “She’s hurting so much, Seth. She’s so sorry she hurt you.”

It felt as though fire engulfed his heart. He wanted to rush to her side and somehow ease her pain, but he was the source of her pain, wasn’t he?

“She’s hurting?” Landon asked incredulously. “She’s the one who rejected him. How ever much she is hurting, it can’t be a fraction of what Seth is going through.”

“How could you say that?” Aubrey turned to her husband. “She didn’t want to hurt Seth.”

“Well, that certainly didn’t go as she planned then,” his brother mumbled.

Aubrey’s chest rose as she prepared to blast some sense into Landon. Seth interrupted the needless argument. “Landon, relax. And Aubrey, I apologize on my big brother’s behalf. You know he’s always been protective of me. He’s just rearing with guilt because I got hurt and there’s no way for him to fix it.”