Page 138 of Fiery Romance

Love notes.

A scrapbook collection of our wedding vision board. Taz made it for me before he left. A promise. A vision. A future.

Guaranteed.

I trace my hands over the white dress. Flowers. It was the hope I clung to as communication between me and Taz became more and more infrequent. It was what got me through the loneliness and the doubts that plagued me.

Don’t I deserve someone who wants to be with me now? Don’t I deserve someone who won’t leave?

The album and the ring were a physical reminder that I wasn’t holding a pipe dream. I wasn’t being stupid and blind.

Taziscoming back.

‘I just need some time to think, Isle. Time to look around and make sure, make very, very sure so that when I come back and marry you, I won’t have any regrets.’

If Taz comes back and I never gave this thing with Clay a shot, I’m going to have regrets.

Lots of them.

And while he may come back with a free heart, ready to focus on me, I’ll always wonder ‘what if’.

What if Clay was the one I’m supposed to be with?

What if I missed my chance of finding out?

It wouldn’t be fair to me, to him, to anyone not to explore this.

In a rush of courage, I snap the album closed, toss it in the box and shove it under my bed.

Heart roaring in my chest, I fly down the stairs with my car keys in one hand and my phone in the other. Anticipation wraps around me and makes my skin buzz with electricity.

This is either the stupidest decision I’ll ever make or the best.

But I’ve got one more date tonight.

And there’s no need to call a driver.

Because this time, I’m taking my car.

CHAPTER14

GHOST IN THE NIGHT

CLAY

“You wantto explain what that was all about?” Cody steps onto my driveway, reminding me that he can wear all the suits and expensive watches he wants.

He’s still my little brother.

Stubborn.

Persistent.

Annoying.

“Didn’t I say I didn’t want to talk about it?” I mutter, diving back into the car and unclasping a knocked-out Regan from her car seat.

Abe jumps out of the vehicle and waves. “Night, Uncle Cody.”

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