Eric came to a halt, panting, his gaze burning with frustration and something bordering on fury.

“What’s the matter?” Hadley asked, startled by his expression.

He looked shaken—not just anxious, but almost angry.

What on earth had happened?

Eric’s jaw tensed.

“Did you… arrange that meeting with Megan?” He had been over the moon when he saw that message. He thought it was her—not Megan. And the higher his hopes had soared, the harder they had crashed.

“I did.” Hadley nodded, unaware of his inner turmoil.

“You saw her? Did you two talk?”

Her voice was gentle, her lips curving into a shape of quiet concern.

Eric cut her off, his voice low and tense.

“Why would you help her? Are you two even close?”

Caught off guard, Hadley shook her head quickly.

“We know each other, but that’s it. She only wanted to see you. I mean… you did spend time together.”

“What do you mean, ‘spent time together’?”

Her words startled Eric. He began to pace, agitated. He wanted to deny everything. But for the past six months, Megan had been publicly known as his girlfriend—everyone in Srixby believed it. And the fact that Hadley knew… that stung even more.

“I was—” Eric stumbled over his words, stepping closer to Hadley.

“I don’t even remember! She manipulated me!”

Hadley blinked, stunned by his sudden intensity. His striking face was inches from hers—and it caught her off guard. Why was he so rattled?

Eric raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

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“She played me. Those six months? They don’t count.”

Though his words held truth, and they were already divorced, Eric simply didn’t want Hadley to think that he was willingly involved with another woman. Somehow, he just couldn’t bear the thought of Hadley misunderstanding what Megan had meant to him.

“Do you see what I mean?” he asked again.

Eric’s voice came out louder than he intended.

Startled, Hadley stood frozen, speechless. He immediately regretted it.

“I’m sorry.”

He frowned and rubbed his forehead. He shouldn’t have snapped at her like that.

“What I meant was… I’ve already made things clear to Megan. I mean…” He trailed off, stumbling over his own words.

“Just don’t set up any more meetings between us. Please.”

Hadley wondered if he was upset because she had acted without asking for permission. He had a point, so she nodded.

“Alright. I understand.”

She had only considered Megan’s side and hadn’t asked what he wanted.

“You really do?” Eric looked down at her, unsure.

Hadley hesitated. She thought she’d gotten the message.

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