Page 137 of Where We Stay

Knox nods slowly. “A chance to explain. Not a free pass.”

“Exactly.”

There was a time I trusted Courtney with everything that mattered.

That version of us is long gone.

Tomorrow, she gets a chance to explain why she’s here.

Nothing more.

* * *

The next morning, my head is still reeling from the night before. I text Courtney and tell her to meet me at the lookout so we can talk.

If we meet in town, every fucker in Hartwell will have something to say about it. The last thing I need is some twisted version reaching Blair before I can explain what’s happening.

I leave Aspen with Rory. Pen is completely unfazed, happily planning their morning together because she has no idea what’s going on.

Rory, on the other hand, is ready to rally.

One thing I can say for sure—the Ashfords are loyal to a fault.

Courtney is already sitting on the bench when I arrive, staring out over the water.

For a moment, I stand there and study her.

She looks the same.

And completely different.

I hate that I notice.

Not because I want her. Fuck no.

Because once upon a time, I knew every version of this woman.

Now, I don’t know her at all.

I walk over and sit at the opposite end of the bench.

“Talk,” I order.

Courtney looks up, startled by my voice. “For starters, I know you’re angry that I just showed up.”

“I guess you could say that,” I reply, clenching my jaw.

“I was going to call,” she explains, looking back toward the water. “But I didn’t think you’d believe me when I said I was coming.”

“I probably wouldn’t have,” I admit.

Courtney drops her gaze to her hands. “I’ve spent years telling myself Aspen was better off without me. That you had everything under control and she didn’t need me.”

“She needed her mom,” I remind her. “I’ve been telling you that for three fucking years.”

“I know,” she says quietly. “I failed her.”

The admission catches me off guard, but it doesn’t erase anything.