Chapter 54

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Brynlee sat on the edge of the couch, staring at the walls that had become her refuge over the past few weeks. She had barely ventured out since leaving the hospital, the thought of facing the world again filling her with a gnawing anxiety. But she knew she couldn’t stay hidden forever. Life had to go on, even if it meant confronting the things she wanted to forget.

A knock on the door broke her thoughts, sending her pulse into a tailspin. She closed her eyes. No. It was over. She had nothing to worry about anymore.

Pushing down the fear, she swallowed hard and stood, then moved toward the door. Her hand froze on the knob, and she drew in a deep breath before opening it. Zane stood on the other side, his expression a mix of guilt and regret.

“Hey, Bryn,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers. “Can I come in for a sec?”

“Zane,” she replied, forcing a small smile. “Come in.”

He stepped inside, his movements hesitant, as if unsure of his place. He had been a part of her life for so long, but now, with everything that had happened, the distance between them felt insurmountable.

“I wanted to talk to you,” Zane began, his voice tight. “To apologize. For everything.”

Brynlee nodded, her heart aching with the weight of their shared history. She could see the remorse in his eyes, the regret for what his relationship with Elisa had cost them both.

“I’m sorry, too,” she said, meaning it. “But we need to move on, Zane. I need to move on.”

Zane’s shoulders sagged, and he nodded slowly. “I understand. I just... I wanted you to know that I’m sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

“I know,” Brynlee said, her voice gentle but firm. “But it did. And I think it’s best if we go our separate ways.”

Zane looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, accepting the reality of her words. “I wish you the best, Brynlee. Truly.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, watching as he turned and left. The door closed behind him with a soft click, and Brynlee felt a strange mix of relief and sorrow. It was the end of something that had once meant so much to her, but it was also a necessary step forward.

The next morning, Brynlee stood outside her salon, her heart pounding as she stared at the familiar sign above the door. Blissful Beauty had been her sanctuary, her passion, and now it felt like a place she barely recognized. But Melanie had been keeping it alive in her absence, and Brynlee owed it to her friend to at least try to get back to some semblance of normalcy.

She pushed open the door, the familiar scent of shampoo and hairspray washing over her. Melanie looked up from behind the counter, a wide smile spreading across her face.

“Bryn!” Melanie rushed over, pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“Thanks, Mel,” Brynlee said, hugging her back. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Melanie pulled back, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Brynlee smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m trying. It’s just... hard.”

“I can imagine,” Melanie said softly. “But you’re strong, Bryn. You’ll get through this.”

Brynlee nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I hope so.”

The day passed slowly, each moment a battle against the anxiety clawing at her insides. She went through the motions, greeting clients, helping with appointments, but by the time the afternoon sun began to dip in the sky, she was exhausted. She thanked Melanie once more, promising to be back the next day, before finally heading home.

As she pulled into her driveway, the familiar silhouette of Sawyer stood on her porch, his hands tucked into his pockets. He turned as she approached, a warm smile spreading across his face.

“Hey,” he greeted her, his voice a balm to her frayed nerves.

“Hey,” she replied, stepping up onto the porch.

Sawyer opened his arms, and Brynlee stepped into them, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, and for a moment, the world outside melted away. It was just them, standing together, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever.

“Welcome home,” Sawyer murmured against her hair.

“Thanks,” she whispered, closing her eyes as she soaked in the comfort of his presence. “It still feels so weird… Coming home to an empty house.”

After a moment, he pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “Speaking of… My lease is up in a few months.”

Brynlee’s heart skipped a beat, her gaze snapping to his. “What?”

Sawyer hesitated, his expression unreadable. “I’ve been thinking about moving.”

The words hit her like a punch to the gut, and she struggled to keep her voice steady. “Moving?”

“Yeah,” Sawyer said, looking down at her. “I’ve been considering it for a while now. Thought maybe it was time for a change.”

Brynlee’s throat tightened, and she looked away, trying to process the sudden wave of emotions crashing over her. The house already felt empty without Scooter, and now the thought of losing Sawyer too was almost too much to bear.

Before she could voice her fear, Sawyer spoke again, his tone lighter. “Thinking about finding a house this time. Maybe we could get another cat.”

Brynlee blinked, her gaze snapping back to his. “We?”

Sawyer shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Or I’ll get a cat, and you can come visit.”

She studied him, searching his eyes for the meaning behind his words. “Visit the cat… or you?”

He grinned, the playful light back in his eyes. “Both of us. Or… you could just come with me.”

Her heart fluttered, and she found herself unable to look away from him. The offer hung in the air between them, filled with the promise of something new, something hopeful.

“I don’t know,” Brynlee said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Just think about.” He trailed his finger down her cheek. “Take all the time you need.”

The fear that had been gnawing at her receded slightly, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest. For the first time in weeks, the future didn’t seem so daunting. It felt like there might be a way forward after all.

She leaned into him. “What would I do without you?”

Sawyer’s smile softened, and he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ll never have to find out.”