Page 107 of The Chance

He holds up a hand, but I don’t stop until that palm is touching my damp chest.

He’s here.

“Who’s the little guy?”

The corner of my lip tips up. “Little guy?”

“Yeah.” His lips thin. “The tiny man.”

I snort. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

He schools his features, but even after all this time, he can’t hide the sharpness in his eyes.

I lick my lips. “He’s a friend,” I answer honestly because the last thing I want is for him being here to go sideways. I like that he’s here, even if it’s just a fleeting thing.

We could be friends.

Right?

Something twists in my gut.

“Look, as much as I love seeing you … why are you here?” I ask, unable to hide the thickness from my words. It comes out almost standoffish, even though that’s the last thing I’m going for, but I don’t have it in me to fight all over again. I’d rather have it out on the table at the beginning instead of finding out later, like last time I saw him.

Mac nods, his features softening briefly before sliding behind a guarded mask. The same one I’ve seen him wear in every goddamn photo for years. Toted around in front of those he didn’t like.

The one he uses on people he doesn’t know.

I know it’s to protect himself.

But that he feels he has to use that shit with me hurts more than I’d like to acknowledge.

“I … don’t know,” he admits and after a beat, some of that armor slips. “Y’know, I had this whole conversation planned out if I ever saw you again and now …”

If I ever saw you again.

If. Not when.

That hits like a train to my torso.

He’s shaking his head, his thumbs fiddling a beat along his thighs. It matches the new one filtering through the speakers.

Trapt.

I bite my lip and step closer.

“Vida.” His breath hitches. “I’m glad you found me.”

He blinks rapidly and meets my gaze. “I’m sorry I tol—”

“Don’t.” I shake my head and brush the back of my hand over his cheek. His lashes fall closed over his freckle-specked skin and he shudders. “I don’t need an apology.”

“What do you need?” he whispers to my chest.

You. I need you.

“You’re here and that’s enough,” I say instead, though I mean it just as much.

It’s then that he dives forward, crashing into my chest and wrapping his arms around me so hard that it’s difficult to breathe.

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