CHASE

As the door slams shut, a heavy silence settles in the room. Kyle's gone, but his effect lingers like sticky fingers after a lollipop. Penny hasn't moved. She remains in place, fixated on the door. Her arms are wrapped tightly around her middle as if by some miracle her efforts to hold everything together won't be in vain.

We need to talk about this. What just happened. What she truly wants. Reaching out towards her, my fingers graze her shoulder.

"Penny-"

"Don't," she says, shrugging me away.

I recoil at her exhausted irritation. She's been at this for far too long, and now I'm just another problem in her life. Another thing to deal with. And maybe I am. After everything with Kyle, and with Julia... maybe I'm exactly what she doesn't need right now.

But I can't just let things stagnate, or to pretend like everything is fine. I take a deep breath and force the words out. "We need to talk."

"About what?" Her eyes finally meet mine, expression poignant. "About how you've been talking to Julia behind my back? If you can't even be honest with me about that, what else are you hiding, Chase?"

It hits harder than expected. My stomach sinks at how much I've hurt her. This is all on me, and I know it.

"It wasn't like that," I say, shaking my head. "I ran into Julia after the -." Wincing, I pause, trying to find the right words to say without rubbing more salt in her wounds. "The day after you were supposed to get married." I let out a sigh and run a hand over my face. "I was just asking her about you to see how you were coping with things. We were just talking when she let it slip that you were up here. And then when my car broke down on the way here, well, that wasn't a lie. I just didn't know what else to say. I didn't want to make things worse."

"That's not the point though, Chase. The point is, you didn't trust me enough to just... be real with me." She holds my gaze, eyes moving back and forth as if trying to read my mind. "And after everything..." Her words trail off as her eyes fall to the floor.

"I didn't want to make things harder for you. You were dealing with Kyle, with all of this. I didn't know how to talk to you about... us."

"Us?" she repeats. "There is no 'us,' Chase?"

And there it is. Clear as day. It's exactly what she thinks about me and my foolish, unrequited feelings for her.

My mind flashes back to that day with Julia.

I wasn't expecting to run into her while getting groceries-hell; I wasn't expecting to run into anyone. I just wanted to get out of the house and clear my head. But when I saw her in the cereal aisle, I couldn't help myself. I had to know how Penny was doing. But Julia saw through the pretence. She always could.

"How's Penny?" I asked hesitantly, still feeling the guilt that accompanied the task my brother had assigned me.

Julia paused, leaning against her cart. "About as good as can be expected I suppose." She said, eyeing me up. "And Kyle?"

My lips drew into a taught line. "Uh I don't know, I haven't spoken to him since yesterday." I paused considering how much to divulge. "Things got a bit heated when we spoke last. I can't imagine I'll be hearing from him for quite a while."

Julia's eyebrows arched curiously. "Is that so?"

"Hmm," I mumbled.

She took a step towards me and lowered her voice. "She really needs our support. But I'm so busy with work, I just haven't got the time to drive all the way to the cabin right now."

"The cabin?" I asked.

Julia nodded, then covered her mouth with her hand. But her eyes told me she hadn't said it by accident. "Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to let it slip like that." Her voice feigned the sincerity of her words. "Well, now that the cats out of the bag, maybe you should go up there and check on her. It'd be such a relief for me to know she wasn't all alone." A broad grin spread across her face. Good thing this woman isn't an actor, she'd have a hard time getting work.

"I... uh... I don't know if that's such a good idea, Jules. I'm probably the last person she wants to see right now."

Waving a hand, Julia brushed my words away with one swipe. "Don't be ridiculous. You've always been one of her favourite people, Chase." She tipped her head forward slightly. "I remember." Julia winked.

"What do you mean?"

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Come on now, Chase. I know you've been in love with her for years. Don't pretend like you haven't been waiting for something like this."

I clenched my jaw, wanting to deny it, to brush off the truth that she saw so clearly. "It's not that simple."

"Yes, it is." She said, placing her hands on her hips. "You didn't go after her the first time and look where that got you. Kyle swooped in and stole the last decade of her life. Now look at the mess he's made."

I kept my mouth shut, but the knot in my chest just got tighter. Although Julia was right, this had nothing to do with Kyle. Not entirely.

"She doesn't feel the same way."

"Doesn't she?" Julia replied with a curious expression. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out her meaning. Her mouth curved into a subtle smile. "Well, you'll never know unless you tell her. But you'd better figure it out soon."

Rubbing my chin, I considered Julia's suggestion. "I don't know."

She raised her brows. "Is she worth the risk?"

"Of course she is. What kind of question is that?"

"Well, go get her. And when you do, don't you dare let her slip out of your fingers again."

I push the memory aside and lock eyes with Penny. "I didn't come here because Julia told me to.

I came because I was concerned about you and couldn't stop thinking about you." I lowered my voice. "And I couldn't bear to let you slip away from me again."

Penny crosses her arms, guarded. "You didn't think I could handle it on my own?"

"No, it's not that." Taking a step closer, I gently grab her hand, holding it. "It's probably stupid, but I need to know if there was ever a chance for you and me - and whether there is one now."

Her expression softens for a second. "So, what? You're here because you think this is your second chance?"

"No," I say. "I'm here because I care about you. Because I've always cared about you."

The silence between us stretches on as I wait for her to say something, anything. But she just shakes her head, her arms tightening around herself again, like she's holding on to the only thing she has left.

"I need time to think."

It's not what I want to hear, but it's all she can give right now. All I can do is respect her wishes and wait.

"OK, Pen. Let me know when you want to talk." I grab my jacket, beanie, and gloves, and head for the door.

I don't look back; I don't say anything. I just leave.

Stopping in the middle of the driveway, I glance back at the cabin. The snow is falling harder now, covering everything in a thick blanket of white. But it's not the snow that's got me standing here, staring at the place I just walked away from. It's her. Penny. The girl I've been in love with for years, standing in that cabin, unsure if she can trust me, unsure if I'm worth the risk.

And the question Julia asked me still echoes in my head. Is she worth the risk?

I close my eyes; I know the answer - I've always known.

But as much as I want to turn around, walk back in, and fight for her... I can't force this. I can't push her to make a decision she's not ready for.

With a deep breath, I turn back in the direction of my broken-down car, forcing myself to keep walking. Forcing myself to leave her with the space she needs.

But I wonder if I'm just letting my last chance slip away.