It had been nine years since he left me high and dry. I'm older now - wiser. As an assistant professor, I graduated in the top percentile of my class. I should have learned from my mistakes. Then again, Hayden Clarke wasn't a mistake. He'd been my best friend, my boyfriend, and when I was a naive 18-year-old I thought he was my soulmate. At least, until he left without an explanation. I was never able to shake that pain and it followed me everywhere. Now, he's back in my life, working at the same college that I work at - and he won't leave me alone until I hear him out. Good luck, Professor Clarke. You're going to need it.