CHAPTER 8

**PARRISH'S POV**

"Was she going to be there tonight?" The thought echoed relentlessly as I adjusted my tie, staring at my reflection. A mix of anticipation and anxiety churned in my chest. Seeing her again wasn’t something I could just walk into casually.

Was she still angry about the threat? God, I never meant to fire her. She had to know that. The memories of us — the tension, the passion — surged back, dragging guilt along with them. I had shattered her, left her in pieces with the cruel words I spat after that terrible night, five years ago and I hadn’t seen her since. Maybe this was the universe’s twisted way of giving me a second chance, though knowing myself, I’d only screw it up again.

And I already, allowing Sophie to lure me back into her den.

I considered skipping the night entirely. What if I ruined it for her, especially if she was there with *him*? The image of them of her face when she had seen me in Sophie's house and half naked made my jaw tighten. Maybe I was better