“I…” The words caught in Eric’s throat as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. There was no more room to dodge the truth.

“Alright. I saw the message. That’s why I came after you.”

Trying to justify his actions, Eric quickly added, “I only did it because I thought you might get tricked.”

Hadley blinked, struggling to take him seriously.

“You think Ellis would try to fool me? About what, exactly?”

“A lot, actually!” Eric’s voice rose as his eyes widened.

“You’re young. You’re gorgeous. Everyone can see that. And you’re part of the Flynn family, with money and influence at your fingertips. Isn’t that more than enough for someone to want to take advantage of you?”

The comment left Hadley speechless.

Clenching his jaw, Eric pressed on.

“From the way Ellis acted around you, it didn’t seem like he just wanted to be friends.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Hadley replied, not bothering to hide her irritation.

“Ridiculous?” Frustration and panic spilled into Eric’s words.

“I’m a guy, Hadley. I know how my kind thinks. There’s no way he’s not into you—I’d bet everything I have on it.”

Hadley hesitated, her tone softening just slightly.

“I’m not here to fight with you.”

Everything Eric said about how men think hit too close to the truth. He wasn’t wrong.

“Hadley!”

Eric’s footsteps quickened as he trailed behind her.

“Just tell me—what do you think of him?”

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Instead of replying, Hadley picked up her pace and walked ahead.

“Hadley! Hadley Pearson!” Eric’s voice cracked with urgency.

“Just answer me!”

“Why do you even care?” Thrown off by his insistence, Hadley felt her patience wearing thin.

No longer interested in holding back, she laid it all out.

“Fine. He told me he likes me. He said he wants to be with me. So what if he did? What’s your issue with that?”

The words struck Eric hard.

There was no denying it now.

What was his issue with that, she asked?

He couldn’t think of any.

The divorce had long been finalized, leaving Hadley on her own for two full years. Her youth hadn’t faded, and her future was still wide open. Staying single forever wasn’t likely. Someday, someone would step in and become her partner. That day was bound to come—sooner or later.

Still, Eric couldn’t bring himself to accept it.

“Hadley!” Eric stepped forward and caught her arm before she could walk away.

“What is it?” Hadley turned to face him, furrowing her brow.

Eric’s mouth opened, but nothing clear came out. Thoughts tangled in his head, chasing each other without settling into anything he could say.

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