“Here’s the thing—you’re probably going to notice that I’m preoccupied today, and I don’t want you to think it’s because of you.”

“That would be bigheaded of me,” he agreed solemnly.

“Given yesterday’s finale, no. It wouldn’t be.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m fighting on too many fronts, Travis. It’s taking a toll.” The honesty of the unguarded words ignited that same gut-level protectiveness he’d felt when she’d faced off with Ray Quentin.

Cassie glanced up at him when he didn’t answer and the sunlight slanting in through the open door spilled across her face, illuminating shadows beneath her eyes. Shadows that had not been there yesterday.

He reached up to lightly touch her face, but his hand froze before he made contact. He slowly lowered it as heat started traveling up from his collar. What had he been thinking?