It took me a moment to register that Emerald was there, too.
When Emerald saw me she gasped, “Knox! Where are your clothes? We have company. Gwen has a date.”
“Adate.” The word thudded out of me, landing in a wet, soppy mess on the floor along with my heart.
I looked past Emerald towards Gwen, who was subtly shaking her head.
Then I settled my attention on the man.
Dawson.
He looked solid.
And hadn’t I heard at the party that he was a big-time manager at a hubcap factory in Fernwood?
That meant big bucks. A big house. A fancier dog.
This was the kind of man she belonged with. Not me.
With a quick, cheery smile, Dawson said, “If this is a bad time, we don’t have to do this.”
Gwen added, “I completely agree, and Emerald, you should have—”
But I didn’t wait to hear anything else.
With blood roaring in my ears, I headed to the door and out to the barracks. Somewhere along the way I dropped the pile of clothes in my hands, but didn’t bother to go back for them.
It would take me less than five minutes to pack. I didn’t own much.
Then, I’d clear out of this town and never see that woman again.
My breath hitched in my throat as all my future plans disintegrated in front of me.
There went the house. The job. The cute little puppy. And the gorgeous wife at my side.
Gwen wasn’t an interchangeable building block. She was the only woman I wanted to start a life with.
Without her in the picture, what was left for me here?
I suddenly felt just as unmoored as I had on the first day after my enlistment ended. I’d known how much she meant to me, but I had no idea how much she’d been holding me together.
Without her, I might just fall apart.
Delicate fingers grasped my elbow from behind, and her voice filled the air. “Knox, wait. Let me explain.” Gwen had followed me out here.
“There’s nothing to explain,” I growled as I shrugged away from her touch.
“There is. And I actually have some big news to share with you. I should have told you a few days ago, but I was just trying to wrap my head around it.”
I didn’t need to hear anymore.
With the pain of my life shattering around me, I’d heard enough.
I stood up, shouldering my duffel bag. “You want that guy instead of me?” I growled. “Okay. Don’t let me stand in your way. But make sure he treats you right. Youdeservesomeone who treats you right, Gwen.”
Chapter 15
Gwen
