Braxton’s face has my heart leaping up into my throat. After my initial statement, letting him know that I have to go, I don’t know how to explain myself to him, to tell him that I can’t stay or why.

“What do you mean you have to go?” Braxton asks, taking a few cautious steps toward me but stopping well short of touching me. “Why would you need to go?”

I clear my throat, swallowing hard. “Because… it’s for the best if I do.”

His eyes widen in shock. “For the best? For who?”

“For everyone,” I tell him. “Especially you.”

“No, Julia,” he says as he shakes his head...