I shouldn’t have come.
This was stupid.
It’s too soon.
I need to be in a better place mentally for this.
Pulling in under a tree, I take a deep breath.
Gran knew—she knew this was a mistake. But she also loves me enough to let me make them. If she’d tried to stop me, I’m not sure it would have worked. I’d probably have dug my heels in.
I lean back on the headrest and close my eyes, getting my breathing under control.
It’s all too raw.
Patrick is one thing too. What about his parents? Are they going to hate me for having a baby and not telling them?
I can’t do this.
I open my eyes.
Students flood out into the streets—they must have just been released from lectures.
My heart pangs—this is what I’ve been waiting for.
He’s there.
It’s probably too far for him to work out that it’s me, but Patrick walks onto the footpath and comes to a stop.
From near my car, a woman calls out his name and runs down the street toward him.
He catches her before kissing her. It’s not a passionate kiss, but not a peck.
Is that his girlfriend?
She’s tall, slim, and blonde—reminiscent of Vicki.
My heart cracks open a little wider.
For a moment, I watch them. She’s animated, waving her arms around as she speaks. He takes a step back, but studies her closely—enough it’s clear he’s engaged in whatever she’s saying.
She grabs hold of his hand and runs her own up his arm.
There’s intimacy there.
He’s moved on.
Of course he has—he moved on the night of the party.
Sophie stirs, and I glance in the rear-view mirror. She’s what’s important. Will he even want her? I shouldn’t have come so soon after giving birth.
I’m an emotional mess.
I can’t do this today.
After starting the car, I reverse into the street and take one more look in Patrick’s direction.
The distance between us is too far to make out his expression, but a shiver runs through me as it seems like our gazes lock.
