“Couldn’t you explain timing or something? Your plans pre-Dallas?”
I shake my head. “That woman was twisting words and stories so much—I don’t even know how she’s still able to practice law.”
“Wilder tells me she’s been fined by judges more often than they issue speeding tickets in town.”
I sigh. “That doesn’t help Dallas keep Ellie.”
She picks at the fringes of my pillow. “When is Cole picking her up?”
“Sunday.” I pout.
“Have you called your mother?”
“I don’t want to talk to anyone.”
Rose looks out my window, which faces the front driveway. “Well, you’re going to have to, because Dallas just got home.”
“It’s fine. He’ll want to sit with Ellie for a bit. Even if she is sleeping. Maybe you can nudge her awake?”
She nods thoughtfully. “She’ll probably ask for you too, since you fell asleep holding her tonight.”
I shake my head. “They need some time alone.”
She looks around my room. “You can’t hide in here all night.”
“Good night, Rose. And thank you for today. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She gives me a long hug. “I love you. I’m sorry about what happened. Noah’s going to fix it.”
“I hope so. Because I’ll never forgive myself if he loses her.”
I didn’t leave my room after Rose left. Heard the faint mumbling downstairs before he walked her out. Then he was upstairs, moving around, checking on Ellie—I could hear them talking for a bit and then it sounded like he might’ve read her another bedtime story.
After that, her lights went out, and a moment later he knocked on my door.
I didn’t answer the first time. My heart was pounding too hard to speak. He didn’t push. Left me alone.
But a short while later, there’s another knock on my door, pulling me out of the daze I’m in.
“Willow, open the door.”
I move toward it but don’t unlock it, drawing in a shaky breath.
He sighs, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m not mad at you.”
I hesitate on the opposite side. “You should be,” I whisper harshly.
“Willow, I’m mad at a lot of people right now. You’re not one of them. Open up.”
I unlock the door and move back to the bed to sit down, tossing a pillow over my lap like a teenager in trouble. He enters after a moment, scanning the dim room.
“You get lost on the way to our bedroom?” he asks quietly.
I shake my head. “You know why I’m in here.”
He closes the distance, standing in front of me. Gently, he brushes the hair from my face and lifts my chin. His shoulders fall, exhaling as he takes in my flushed face and swollen eyes. “Oh, Sunset.”
The tears pooled in my eyes fall. “I’m so sorry.” My hands start to shake and I break free to cross the room. “I ruined everything for you.”
