What Might Have Been Read Online Free

the tight line of Macy’s mouth spoke volumes. She didn’t buy a word he said.
    “I fell prey to my ego and kept my mouth shut when I really wanted to get to know you as more than friends.” Tanner shook his head and tapped the door frame with the pads of his fingers. “Jenn Miller told me to ask you out and I didn’t. I should’ve listened to her.”
    “Right.” She drew the word out, her eyes widening. She nodded once and turned away. “My ego doesn’t need a boost.”
    He turned her around and crooked his finger under her chin, halting her escape. “I went to the musical that year— Carousel , I think—just so I could see you dance. I sat in the twenty-second row and fumed that Ken James got to wrap his arms around you. That red dress you wore nearly killed me.”
    She edged back a few inches and placed her hands on her curvy hips. “I know the reunion is one gigantic trip down memory lane, but what’s your point?”
    The coil of tension in Tanner’s belly unwound a bit. She’d offered an opening, albeit with grumpy undertones. His voice thickened with desire and something more—devotion. “I made mistakes and I’d like to fix them.” Other words, the words he longed to say to her, jumbled in his brain. To make you see how much I want you. To give you a reason to stick around for a little bit—for me. Time to unburden himself. “I’m sorry I was such an ass. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
    “You can’t change the past any more than I can erase the scars Will left on me.” Her voice dropped to a lower pitch that rumbled along his nerve endings. Suddenly, the spacious hallway seemed to close in on him.
    The thought of any man hurting a woman pissed Tanner off. Knowing it had been Macy being hurt, he saw red. He fought to keep his emotions in check. Tanner took her hand in his and smoothed his thumb over her ring. “I see you aren’t wearing a wedding ring. Didn’t things work out with your former beau? I see he didn’t show up. I’m glad. After that comment, I’d have to rip him a new asshole.”
    As she stared at their entwined hands, the tension returned to his gut. No one had ever called him the king of tact, especially when he saw something he wanted—and he wanted her. “I know it’s none of my business, but I had to ask. I’ve heard he was beyond impossible.”
    “You’re changing subjects rather quickly. It’s hard to keep up.” She peered up at him through her dark lashes. “But you could say things have fizzled considerably, since he’s married to a woman named Melissa and lives in New York. Lis is exactly what he wanted. Me? I never fit the bill.”
    “How?”
    “Things had to be perfect or he’d lash out. He always had a temper, but it got worse over time.” Her smile appeared forced and didn’t quite make it to her eyes. “You know, I got really good at hiding the welts. Give me a hoodie sweatshirt—”
    “Mace.” Fury boiled in his veins. No woman deserved to be abused. Ever. But what could he say? He hadn’t been there to help her.
    “It made me stronger.” She picked at the wrinkles in his shirt, her touch soft against his chest. “I’m not the shy girl you remember and I rather like it that way. It’s damn good to be comfortable in my skin.”
    His heart leapt. If he lowered his lips just a bit, he could taste her, delight in her. His cock swelled. They needed to find a better place to be alone. Somewhere with a little romance, low lighting, and soft music. A bar? Nah, too obvious. A club? Not in Mason. The little town didn’t have any upscale club venues. Well, shit. Before he could sort out his plans for the rest of the evening, the announcement over the loudspeaker interrupted him.
    “Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of ‘97, the building will close in fifteen minutes, but we’d all love to see you tomorrow at the formal dinner. Have a great night.”
    Macy slipped her hand from his grasp. A faint smile fluttered at the very