TESSA'S POV

A wave of relief and hope washed over me ㅡ the person I could rely on was back. He didn't abandon me.

“Gabe?!” I repeated, his name a strangled cry erupting from my lips.

I know I said I had no more tears to cry but as soon as he spoke to me, I felt hot, fresh tears stream down my face as I clung to him for dear life. How I missed his scent of pine and earth. I just realized how much he meant to me over the years we had known each other.

After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, I pulled away...