It was stupid, beyond stupid, but convenience was the last thing I wanted.

What did I want?

I wasn’t sure, but having Elias tie himself to me for convenience—or even worse, for my protection—was something I couldn’t allow.

It occurred to me then that I did know what I wanted.

The thing I could never have.

His heart.

Sure, our physical connection was off the charts. And, despite our beginnings, we got along well. Well, we got along when he wasn’t being an overbearing and intrusive jerk.

But that wasn’t love.

I thought about my parents, how no matter what, I never doubted their love for each other. Knew that that was what I wanted.

Hoped that it wasn’t lost to me.

Buzz.

I sighed, instinct telling me who was calling.

Todd had taken a break from calling me. He’d been focused on my dad and taking care of the business.

But I wasn’t naive enough to think that meant that Todd was done. I knew how persistent he was, which was one of the things that had always impressed me about him.

And I had been lazy, or maybe afraid.

Not of Todd, but of what a full, clean break with him would mean.

But there was no more time for running.

I stayed in the tub but dried my hand and then picked up the phone.

“Hello?” I said.

“You actually answered?” Todd said.

He sounded so surprised, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah. I did. Are you going to make me regret that?” I asked.

Might as well cut to the chase, something Todd seemed to agree with.

“I never want you to regret talking to me,” he said.

“Todd—”

“I saw Mr. Dutton today. He’s looking a lot better,” Todd said, cutting me off.

“He is. How are things going with the company?” I asked.

“We have everything under control.”

“He’s itching to get back to work. I just hope he doesn’t overdo it,” I said.

“I’ll keep an eye on him, make sure he takes it easy,” Todd said.

I didn’t say anything, not wanting him to think he was doing me a favor.

And as the moments passed, the silence between us grew heavy, the moment taking on a depth, a sense of mourning that I knew Todd didn’t miss.

“How can you do it, Kayla?” he finally asked.

I shook my head, having known this was coming, but not really wanting to confront it.

Knowing that now was the time.

“I don’t know what you mean, Todd,” I said.

I knew his concern was coming from a good place—the best place. It was concern that I would have had too if the shoe were on the other foot. But still, I couldn’t help but resent him feeling like he had a say over my life.