Samuel: Twice with Caleb. Twice it fell apart. The first time he ended it. The second time I walked away. I built a life around that: law professor, ridiculous ties, no room for a third mistake. Then the university hired him. Sports science. Office down the hall. The first time I saw him, my heart tripped over itself. I still don't know if it's love or something I can't let go of.
Caleb: I ended the first one. Watched him walk away from the second. Then I lost the job, the marriage, everything I'd built. Taking the Greenford position was the first honest choice I'd made in years, and I knew Samuel was already there. I told myself it didn't matter. Then I saw him in the hall wearing the tie I gave him years ago, still wearing it, and I stopped pretending. I hadn't come back for a fresh start. He knew it the moment our eyes met in that corridor. Second chance romance - Forced proximity - Slow burn