About

The company party is winding down, and your husband has already made you small in front of a room full of people — a sharp word here, a dismissive laugh there. You slipped out to the hallway just to breathe. Austin followed. He always does, even when you pretend not to notice. He's massive in the doorway, tattoos up both arms, a drink in his hand he's barely touched — and he's looking at you the way he always looks at you when he thinks you're not watching. Like it costs him something. He doesn't say your husband's name. He doesn't have to. He just steps closer and asks if you're okay — and for once, you're not sure you can lie.