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her.
    Her eyes widened and I saw her fingers go tight around her bags.
    “I want you to have my number in case something comes up or maybe if you get a better offer.” Her choked-out laugh was worth it. It eased some of the strain around her eyes.
    “Noah, can you give Ryan my phone, please.”
    Hearing my name on her lips hadn’t gotten old yet. And that should have me running for the fucking hills like a madman. Instead, Noah brought me her phone and I programmed my number in. “I should be here around ten tomorrow, if that’s okay?”
    She nodded. “That sounds good. And . . .” She took a deep breath, as if the words hurt to get out. “And thank you, Ryan. For the ride and for fixing my car.”
    “I’m glad I was there to help you.” And I meant it. I actually never expected to see Tess again, but now that I had, I almost wished I hadn’t. Not like this.
    Not close enough to see how vulnerable and tired and determined she was.
    Because the girl I used to love needed help, and fuck me if I’d be able to walk away from that.

CHAPTER FIVE

    tess
    I would have bet a night’s pay that Ryan wouldn’t show up in the morning. I knew he hadn’t gotten my number, only given me his, so he’d be out nothing if he just didn’t come by. As awkward as yesterday had been, I still wouldn’t trade it for the world.
    I got to see Ryan.
    And it was obvious that seven years had not changed the way he made me feel. Which was what had me half hoping he didn’t show up this morning. I knew nothing about his life. Did he have someone at home? Someone like him surely would.
    Even when we were younger, running round the trailer park and getting into trouble, I knew there was something special about him. He was a good guy. Fair. Honest. I saw it whenever his friend Seth got into trouble, or when one of the smaller kids got picked on, or even the way he treated my grandma.
    We started out as friends, but somewhere around eighth grade I started to see him differently. I’d been so afraid that if he knew, it would change everything. Then one night, the summer before we started freshman year, he kissed me on my grandma’s porch and asked if I’d be his girlfriend.
    He was my first real friend. Then my boyfriend. Then he was my first first and I swore that it would be him forever. Looking back I can’t believe he let me go on and on about how many kids we’d have and the kind of house we’d have and even the color of our dog.
    Part of me ached to be that girl again. So full of hope.
    But now I had my life, and surely Ryan had his.
    I couldn’t help the stab of jealousy that flared to life picturing him in someone else’s arms. He wasn’t mine. I knew that the day I realized what a mistake I had made, but it still didn’t make it hurt less. I had loved him. Enough to take my chances and trust that we would be the ones that surpassed the odds. I trusted him to take care of me.
    My father had managed to change all that.
    And I broke that good heart.
    So I wouldn’t have blamed him a bit if he had just walked away like I’d done seven years ago, but instead he’d done exactly what he said he’d do. Around five yesterday, a tow truck pulled in and left my car right in front of the apartment.
    Trustworthy. Dependable. Things I’d always known about Ryan. Things that had not changed over the years.
    When the knock came at ten this morning, my heart was in my throat as I pulled open the door. Yesterday Noah wanted to go to the park first thing, so I threw on the only clean clothes I had and called it good. After an afternoon of doing laundry, I realized that all we had left to eat was a box of cereal and no milk.
    When I ran into Ryan at the grocery, I was definitely not looking my best.
    This morning I’d gotten up early, showered and blow-dried my hair, then used the straightener on it. I found my cutest top, a short-sleeved wispy blouse that had elastic at the waist and flattered my curves. It was supposed to get up to