Michael's POV
I managed a gentle smile for Skye, warmth flooding through me at just the thought of Allyson. "I assumed you would have pieced that together by now."
Her shoulders rose in a casual shrug. "I suspected as much when you wouldn't stop murmuring her name through the night, even after you initially denied having feelings for anyone."
"Did I really?" My eyebrows drew together in surprise.
"You did." She nodded with certainty. "Could have been the whiskey talking, or maybe those fortress walls you've constructed around your emotions. It makes me curious how she managed to break through them all."
A quiet chuckle rumbled from my chest. "Remember when you told me to release the past? That clinging to old wounds only empowers those who damaged me while keeping me trapped in misery? Well, I finally listened to your wisdom."
Skye's eyebrows shot upward, genuine surprise flickering across her features like she hadn't anticipated that response.
