The word love made his eyes burn even redder.
He left without causing a scene. But before he did, he gave her a way out.
“Kenzie, I like you,” he said. “But liking someone doesn’t mean keeping them. So I’ll let you go.”
“If one day you realize you don’t love Colton anymore, or if he treats you badly, come find me. I’ll take you away.”
She never imagined those words would come back to her years later.
Clarkson was sharp. He could hear the unfairness in what she wasn’t saying.
“Kenzie,” he said firmly, “wait for me. I’ll come to New York. I’ll take you away.”
“The Kenzie who used to smile like so brightly shouldn’t be living this way.”
She smiled, and this time it didn’t hurt.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll wait.”
After the call ended, she stayed in the conference room for a long time before finally stepping out.
And just her luck, she ran straight into Colton and Kinsey.
When Colton saw her swollen, reddened eyes, concern never crossed his face. His first reaction was suspicion.
“You followed me here?” he said coldly. “Kenzie, this clingy act of yours is getting disgusting.”
The words landed hard.