Page 12 of Forbidden Hunger

“Who is she?” he asks, and I give up pretending.

“Her name is Tori. Tori Smith.”

“And she’s perfect for you.”

I close my eyes as his words wash over me. “Fuck,” I breathe. “I think she might be.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I meet his gaze. “She’s Eden’s best friend.”

He nods, understanding. “A little different than my situation.”

“Just a little.” Hunter doesn’t have a daughter, grown or otherwise. He and Lily had their own obstacles to overcome, but nothing like this.

My brother cocks his head. “What do you want me to say, Ash? If she’s the one, I won’t tell you to walk away. I can say she’ll be worth it, no matter how much hell you have to go through. If she’s the one.”

“I can’t … square it with myself. No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem right.”

“Does she want you?”

“I think so.”

Hunter arches his brows. “You think?”

“I haven’t let myself explore things with her; I’m trying like hell to stay away from her. But I think it’s mutual.”

“You’ve been alone a long time, brother. Eden has always come first, and I admire that more than I can say. Maybe it’s time for you now.”

“Even if it is, how the hell am I supposed to tell my daughter I’m fucking her best friend?”

“I don’t know.” Hunter’s gaze is full of sympathy. “But I can tell you this: if Tori’s the one for you, and you let her walk away, you’ll never stop regretting it.”

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