Page 109 of Tempt

“Kat.”

He stops in front of me. His dark sweater over chinos is preppy and there’s a teasing remark halfway off my tongue when I stop.

“Andy seems happy.”

“He misses you.”

Daniel is so handsome. But when I look closer, he’s tired.

I want to tell him I miss him. I want him to say it back.

“I miss Andy, too.” I paste on a smile. “I’ll get my things.”

I brush past him and head for my old room, a bag in tow.

Inside there are only a few items. I gather them up when I feel him in the doorway.

“Don’t forget this.”

He holds out the stuffed bunny I gave Andy. I wave it away.

“It was a gift. I had an old bear that kept me company in the hospital. It helped when I was alone.”

Daniel’s eyes cloud.

I hate seeing him in pain. But I can’t take it from him. There’s too much to go around right now.

“I overreacted,” he says. “I was panicked and I cut you down. It wasn’t fair. What happened to Andy could’ve happened on my watch, too. I was scared and I blamed you. I’m sorry.”

My heart skips.

I’ve been wanting to hear this for days.

Tell me you care about us.

Say you want me to move back in.

He’s silent, and the hope filling my lungs fades.

“Sure, Daniel. I forgive you. I’m not big on grudges. Gives you premature lines.” I push the bunny back into his hands and grab my bag.

He frowns. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true. Women care about aging, but I don’t think there’s shame in it—”

“What I mean is, don’t shut down on me.”

He gets ahead of me in the hall, cutting me off.

I toss my head. “How’s tenure going?”

His hands fist, frustrated at the change of subject. “It was going well until… I was about to call you when I got your voicemail. The talk went great. And it was your idea.”

Daniel’s gaze searches my face. There’s a sadness in him, and a longing.

“I’m glad.” I swallow, fighting to keep the emotion from my voice.

I brush past him and start toward the living room.

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