Page 3 of Begin Again

As if realizing she’d already shown him too much, a wall slammed down between them. She stiffened, her hands politely clasped in front of her like she faced a bored politician rather than the man who’d broken her heart. And he had. Badly. But if he was going to have a chance at redemption, he needed to focus on tiny steps. A flash of admiration tangled with disappointment as he watched her quickly compose herself and emanate a cool professionalism. Her voice was still husky, but tipped with ice. “I see. Well, to say this is a surprise is an understatement. Are you visiting your family?”

He nodded. “This weekend. Will stop by the Bishop farm, too, of course. Have you seen them lately?”

“Yes. Dad, Alyssa and I try to get out there regularly. They’re all doing well. Mia and Ethan’s daughter, Evie, will be turning one soon. Harper’s expansion has been a success and she’s able to rescue so many more horses.”

He smiled, his heart full from the image of the beloved farm expanding with children and animals who took care of one another. The Bishops had changed his life, along with Chloe. He thought of them as his second family. “I stayed in touch,” he said, not wanting her to think he’d abandoned them when he moved away.

Her lips pursed like she’d eaten something bad. “Glad you didn’t leave everyone behind for something bigger and better,” she said. Her light tone contradicted the hardness in her gaze.

He winced, regretting his last comment. She’d wanted to stay in touch, asked if they could be friends, but he couldn’t. Chloe Lake wasn’t a woman to be kept neatly sidelined. He’d known if it wasn’t a clean break, he’d never be able to change into the man he’d needed to be. “I’m sorry, Chloe,” he said, struggling to find the right words. “It’s just that I⁠—”

She waved a hand in the air, cutting him off. “No, don’t. There’s nothing left to apologize for, or explain. God knows, too many years have passed for us to trot back down memory lane.” Her smile was stiff and her laugh forced. “I’m glad you stopped in, Owen. It was nice to see you and know you’re doing well. But I have a ton of work to do so now’s not a good time.”

He cocked his head to study her. The black T-shirt pulled snugly across her breasts, the logo exclaiming Be Part of the Solution, Not the Problem, Adopt Don’t Shop! Her short black skirt emphasized the flare of her hips and long, bare legs. Once, every sweet inch of her body had belonged to him. Standing across the room, her face closed to his probing stare, she was now a stranger.

He’d accept it. For now. Over the next few weeks, he’d have the opportunity to work with her on a cause they both believed in. He needed to use that small entryway to re-connect. “Okay. Should I introduce myself to the others? Or maybe you can direct me to my workspace while I’m here?”

She blinked. “What are you talking about?”

It took him a few beats to realize she didn’t know. Was it possible no one told her who she’d be partnering with? He cleared his throat. “I’m the lawyer from the Animal Defense team. We’re supposed to work together on the Spagarelli case.”

Her jaw dropped. She quickly snapped it closed and shook her head. “No, that’s not possible. You live in California.”

“I used to. I finished my internship in LA, then joined Animal Defense. Got my law degree under their tutelage and was recently certified to practice in New York.” He took in her slightly trembling hands as she lifted them to push back her bangs. Damnit, it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. He’d figured she had enough time to anticipate his arrival, but now, it was like facing a wounded warrior who refused to admit weakness. His voice softened. “I thought you knew.”

“The lawyer was supposed to arrive tomorrow.”

“I figured I’d start early.”

“Why are you taking on a case here? Why now?”

The truth spilled from his lips with ease. “It was time to come home.”

She jerked, then lifted her chin. Defense lines carved into her face. “How convenient for you. My fault, I guess. I should have asked the suit’s name.”

The tinge of bitterness made him flinch. He looked down at his slightly rumpled charcoal suit and conservative tie. He’d never be into designer stuff, and was more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, but he’d embraced his new career and dressed the part. “Never thought I’d be dubbed a suit.” He gave a lopsided smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Remember when Hei-Hei rushed me and I ended up falling into the mud pile? He clucked like a damn victory chant. Took me forever to get the stink out of my hair and skin.” Memories of them together on the rescue farm, falling in love under the hot summer sun, horseback riding through the vibrant green meadows, laughing and caring for the animals together, hit him full force. His gut clenched with the need to get closer, inhale her scent, touch her smooth cheek. But he no longer had that right.

“I remember. But now you’re a suit.” Her blue eyes lit up like a lightning strike. “This case is important to us. I’ll work with you to stop those SOBs from hurting any more animals. I’ll be polite and respect the relationship we had. What I won’t do is pretend we can ever go back or fall into some convenient friendship, talking about the good times we experienced. I just…can’t.” She turned on her heel and headed back to the safety of her desk. “You’ll be working in here with me. I’ll tell Jack to bring in your desk and you can set up in that corner. I need to finish up a few leftover projects first. I can be ready to attack this fresh tomorrow. Agreed?”

It was the tiny break in her voice that made him nod. This was hard for her. What she didn’t realize was how much worse it was for him, because she didn’t know he’d come back to New York for her.

For a second chance. A chance to love her the way he’d always imagined. As a man who’d made his own way and could finally give himself fully. But she wasn’t ready to hear his explanations or excuses. Not yet.

“Understood.”

“Vivian is down the hall, last room on the right. She’ll get you anything you need.”

With those final words, she sat back down, focused on her screen, and resumed typing.

Owen shut the door gently behind him.

For years, he’d wondered if he could still feel the same. Wondered if too much time had passed and too many changes occurred to experience the strong pull of rightness he’d always felt around her. The sense of knowing he’d found his soul mate, even at nineteen years old.

But looking into those deep blue eyes was like the first time all over again.

Nothing had changed. His heart still belonged to her.

Now he just had to prove he’d left for a loftier reason and that they were meant to be together.