Page 174 of What Started In Deception

He shook his head as he closed the distance between them, smelling just as great as he looked. “She and your uncle knocked on my apartment door Friday evening.”

Her eyes grew wide again as the surprises kept coming. “Uncle James knows?”

Ty nodded. “I was going to call you…” He shrugged as he shook his head. “I told them that I forced your hand and that you only agreed to help to protect them.”

She exhaled a long breath as she stared at the floor, feeling her life falling apart all over again. “Oh God.”

“I think he was more surprised than upset. I know he appreciates that we helped Will.”

She looked at him. “You helped Will.”

He shook his head. “We both did.”

She shook her head this time. “You did, Ty, and I can only thank you.”

He nodded. “I told you I would.”

She swallowed, unable to look away from his gorgeous blue eyes.

He hesitated before he captured her hand like he had so many times before. “How are you, Lyd?”

His skin was warm. His big hand swallowed hers like it always did. Everything about this moment was pleasure and pain. “I’m fine. You?”

He nodded. “I’m all right.”

“Works good?”

He shrugged. “It’s fine.”

She nodded.

He stroked his thumb along her knuckles in an all-too-familiar gesture. “I want to apologize for the way we left things.”

She adamantly shook her head. “It’s all for the best.”

He sighed. “I miss you, Lyd.”

She pulled her hand from his as his confession broke her heart all over again. “Please, don’t.”

“Maybe you miss me, too.”

She nodded, even when she didn’t want to, because he had no idea just how much. “I do miss you.” Then she shrugged helplessly because it didn’t matter. It changed nothing. “I should probably—I’ll let you get back to your visit with my gram-gram.” She turned, hurrying toward the door because she couldn’t take any more.

He followed. “Lyd.”

She walked faster.

He snagged her by the wrist. “Lydia.”

“What?” she said as she whirled, torturing herself by meeting his gaze again.

“Don’t go like this. I need— Let me hug you.”

She didn’t stop him when he wrapped her up. Hesitating for only a moment, she returned his embrace, closing her eyes as she held him close—as everything felt exactly right for the first time in days.

“Lyd,” he whispered as he wrapped her up tighter, nestling her head against his chest with his hand.

She wanted so desperately to stay here with him just like this, which was exactly why she couldn’t. Easing back, she struggled to keep her tears from falling as she stared into his eyes. “I can’t do this. Goodbye, Ty.”