He’d only come back to the Cape to be near his grandfather while he figured out his next step. Soon he would climb on his bike and leave his demons and everything he’d ever known and loved behind.

“Hey there!”

He spun around at the sound of Madigan’s chipper voice and felt a smile tugging at his lips. She waved, looking adorable as she hurried over in her dressy floral shorts and blouse. “I just had the best session…”

She was talking a mile a minute, going on about the progress her clients were making, and she was so passionate, so happy for them, he got swept up in her excitement. Just like he felt after a great workout, even in the pen, when the endorphins kicked in, and everything looked brighter. He hung on to her every word, wanting that feeling to remain, to understand what made her so elated.

That was when reality hit like a blow to the chest. Her world was bright. His was dark and would never be light again. He sure as hell wasn’t going to take her down with him. He’d been a fool to offer her a ride home, to hang on to time with her as if he were a normal guy with no demons waiting to pounce.

He needed to nip this connection in the bud.

“Hey, I have a great idea,” she said excitedly. “Let me take you to dinner for giving me a ride, and we can get to know each other better.”

“No thanks. I’m good.” He straddled his bike to avoid the hurt in her eyes. “Where am I taking you?”

The pep in her voice was replaced with confusion as she rattled off her address and directions to her house. “Did something happen while I was in there?” she asked tentatively.

“Nope. I got things to do. Climb on, Blue Eyes. Let’s get you home.” He pulled on his helmet, feeling like a prick, and waited for her to get situated. When she did, gone was the tight grip of a woman hoping for something more. It took everything he had not to haul her closer and apologize for dimming her light. But what would that accomplish?

Absofuckinglutely nothing.

They came from different worlds. Severing their budding ties was the right thing to do, even if it made him feel like shit.

He tried to get his head on straight as he drove her home, hating himself for the things he’d done and the man he’d become. But that was the point, wasn’t it? He’d become someone a woman like Madigan, with her open nature and shiny pink thoughts, didn’t need hanging around.