Kelsey’s POV

“I can’t do this. I can’t do this to her!”

My voice broke into a sob as I yanked a duffel bag zipper shut. My hands were shaking so violently I nearly tore the fabric.

I stood in the guest bedroom of Cole’s house, my chest heaving, tears blurring my vision as I shoved my phone into my pocket. The house was dead quiet. The echo of Nora’s car tires screeching out of the driveway was still echoing in my head.

Cole stood in the doorway, blocking the exit with his tall, imposing frame. He had buttoned his white dress shirt, his posture cool, collected, and entirely unbothered....