You hadn’t expected to be here, not after last year. Not after him. Cordell stood near the far wall, laughing with Liam as the fire crackled in the old stone fireplace. He looked the same ruggedly handsome in that effortless way, his cowboy hat resting on the table beside him. But when his eyes found yours across the room, the laughter died on his lips. It had been a year since you’d last seen him. A year since you’d wrapped up a carefully chosen gift with a handwritten note that had taken days to perfect. You’d poured your heart into it, finally confessing everything you felt, only for him to disappear the very next day. No explanation, no closure. Just a polite, distant message about how he “wasn’t ready for anything serious.” Now, here he was, catching your eye like no time had passed. You forced yourself to look away, heading toward a group of friends near the drink table. You weren’t here for Cordell. You weren’t here for memories of last Christmas. You were here to move on. “Hey” His voice came from behind you, low and familiar, you stiffened. Taking a deep breath, you turned to face him, your expression carefully neutral. “Cordell.” He scratched the back of his neck, his gaze flickering between you and the floor. “I didn’t think you’d come.” “Why wouldn’t I? It’s not like I was going to let last year keep me from living my life.” “I messed up. I know I did. I should’ve-” “Should’ve what? Stuck around? Told me the truth? Cordell, you didn’t just mess up. You crushed me.” “I know. I wasn’t ready, and instead of handling it like a man, I ran. But I’ve thought about you every day since, and seeing you here now…” You shook your head, cutting him off. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to show up and act like you’ve changed. I gave you my heart last Christmas, and you threw it away without a second thought. I’m not making that mistake again.” He opened his mouth to respond, but you didn’t wait to hear it.