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existence.
    Myles, my fiancé and supposed love of my life, is sitting at a table in the corner of a sleazy bar. A bleached-blonde woman is sitting on his lap. She's wearing a skirt, straddling him, nuzzling his neck and giggling loudly enough that the sound stings my ears, while his hands grip her ass with what looks to be fierce desperation.
    Kate's voice in my ear breaks my concentration. "Honey, let's go."
    My eyes, blurry and drowning in the ache of what's in front of me, roll to hers. Her expression is kind and understanding.
    "Let's go," she mumbles. "Now."
    "Where?" I whisper.
    Where do you go after seeing what you can never un-see?
    Where's there a place on earth to hide your devastation from the cruel and cold outside world?
    Where does a person feel safe in the presence of another again?
    Chase .
    It's a bad idea. Even thinking through the repercussions of it, I know it is.
    "Take me home," I murmur with a slight aim for hope, but loud enough she can hear my request and not deny it.
    "I didn't want you to see that. I tried…."
    "Take me home," I tell her again, swaying as I reach down to grab my phone and purse.
    "Okay, Ry. Let's go."
     
    ★★★
     
    "Are you sure about this?" she questions carefully as we sit outside Chase's house, both staring up at his front door.
    His red truck sits beside her Camry, mocking me and reminding me that it wasn't only Myles who was unfaithful. "I need to talk to him, Kate. If for no other reason than…."
    "How will you handle all of this with Myles?"
    Although I'd love to explain, I just don't have that answer. I know Myles almost as well as I know myself, or at least I thought I did. I now understand the disconnection in our relationship is affecting him as much as it is me. It has to be. I'm not making excuses, but I'm not about to throw everything away based on a woman sitting on his lap. Nor a single moment that shouldn't have ever transpired between me and Chase.
    "I'll figure it out tomorrow." I dismiss her question, eager to get away from her.
    Hearing the locks of her car click open, I jump before turning to face her. She watches me carefully before offering, "You want me to wait out here? Ya know, in case he's not home or things aren't…."
    "No," I reply quickly, grabbing the handle and opening the door. The inside light of the car casts a sure glimpse of my friend and it's not disappointment, sadness, or worry playing in her eyes. "You're reading into something that's not there, Kate."
    Smiling shortly, she reaches over and grabs my hand clutching my purse. "I'm not. I swear. But I'll be honest with you."
    "As you always are," I return with an eye roll.
    Nodding once, she says, "You just saw a woman taking advantage of your man and you're not swelling up in tears or looking for a rock to hide under."
    "I haven't had time to process."
    "You have. Which is why I trust you know what you're doing."
    Leaning over the console, I give her a quick kiss to the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow."
    "And I'll certainly be waiting."
    Once I'm out of the car and headed up to Chase's door, I hear her call out her window before she speeds away, "Make good choices!"
    Right .
    So easy.
    And here we go.
     

 
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    RYLEIGH
     
    "What are you doin' here, Ry?" Chase asks once I've pushed past him, closed the front door behind me, and leaned against it for support.
    What am I doing here?
    "And while you're at it, you wanna tell me why you look like you've seen a goddamn ghost?"
    I don't say anything for fear if I do, I won't only lose my nerve, but my determination to say what I have to say.
    "Ryleigh," he calls, standing with his feet apart and his arms crossed over his massive chest. He's eyeing me with the same suspicion Kate had at the bar, but rather than blatant concern, his look is more controlled.
    "I was in the neighborhood," I answer, trying desperately to escape the fear welling in my throat. "Thought I'd stop by and say hi."
    Walking to me, as though I'm prey