Chapter 122

Rowan

"So" – I push back from him with my hands on his shoulders – "I called in our food, and they're gonna deliver it. They treat first responders really well. If you could listen for it while I go take a shower?"

"No problem." He lets go, but hangs on until the last moment his fingertips can. "Promise I won't be too nosey."

There's a lurch in my chest, but I know instinctively I can trust him. "I only have like one major secret." I shrug. It gives off the vibe I'm kidding, I know that, and Cutter takes it the way I mean for him to.

"I'll try not to let you break my heart," he laughs.

There's something prophetic about his words that hit me in the sternum. Almost as if it's a place we're going and I need to protect him from my past. "You do that."

He pulls back slightly, his eyes drawing together.

"I'll be back in a few."

As quickly as I can, I make my getaway, thankfully closing the door to the bathroom and pressing my back against it. In the last three years I haven'