He’d mistaken her grace for weakness.
Now he was walking up to their perfect front door alone. Shameful, yes—but fitting. He’d built his marriage on hisparents’ foundation: restraint, appearance, control. He should have been building something different with Lauren.
He exhaled a long, uneven breath.
He’d felt ashamed of her color, her warmth, her joy.
Now he was just ashamed of himself.
His parents’dining room was the same as ever. Silver polished to a blind shine, linen napkins. His father sat at the head of the table. At least Jake and Mia were there.
Jake caught his eye across the table, a half-smile that saidhang in there.Mia gave a small wave from beside him. Tom managed a smile back as he sat.
The seat beside him—the one Lauren always filled—was empty. Judith had set a place anyway.
He sat, far too aware of the empty seat.
The last time he’d sat at this table with Lauren, she’d slipped her hand into his under the linen. Tonight, his hand felt painfully empty.
Beneath his shirt, under the starched cotton, he could feel the slight weight of the necklace he’d made—uneven beads, crooked wire. It pressed against his skin, ridiculous and comforting. A reminder. A vow.
He wouldn’t stop trying.
The doorbell rang.
Judith’s expression brightened. “Oh! That must be her.”
Her.
His pulse spiked. A kick of adrenaline. A sick, impossible hope.
Lauren.
Richard reappeared a moment later, ushering in a stranger.
For one foolish moment, Tom leaned forward, trying to peer around the woman. Like Lauren might be hidden behind her, late or shy or?—
“Everyone,” Judith said brightly, “this is Lila. Evelyn Kent’s niece. She’s just moved here from Boston.”
Too slow, Tom realized his wife wasn’t coming.
“Lila’s newly divorced.” Judith continued. “I thought it would be nice for her to meet some people her age.”
Across the table, Jake’s glass paused midair, Mia’s mouth dropped open.
Lila smiled at Tom. “You must be Tom. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Tom stood automatically. He shook her hand. Sat again.
Mia shot Tom a wide-eyed look. Jake narrowed his eyes at him.
It took too long for the truth to land.
When it did, he felt like he was in free fall.
This was a setup.
His parents were trying to set him up with this woman. As if Lauren were already gone. As if she were disposable.
