“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Anthony barely registered Felix’s voice as he opened the car door, his mind lost in the cold, turbulent waters of his thoughts.

Calista’s rejection in California still played vividly in his mind; her words had stung like a bee, and no matter how he tried, he couldn’t stop them from ringing repeatedly in his ears. Her disappointment had been so evident.

The Calista he had once known now saw him as a stranger, someone she never wanted to be acquainted with. His only regret had been taking her with him back to Texas. They could have been so happy, like they used to be.

What hurt the...