One truth can explain everything…
Declan Kelly has spent his entire adult life saving people, all the while avoiding any real connections or emotions. He's already been destroyed once, and after she ruined him, he knows he'll never love again.
Amie Dotson knew from the moment she lied that Dec wouldn't forgive her... but she didn't want him to. Lying was easier than the truth because he would have stayed for her, and she didn't want him to miss out on his dreams because of her.
Harboring more than one secret, Amie tries to avoid Declan when she discovers he's back in town, but when he sees the evidence marring her body, she knows he'll do whatever it takes to remove the fear from her eyes.