I held a hand out to the flower girl, and she took it andstood in front of me.
Then my eyes went back to Darius, to see he was gone.Imoved them to the doors of the sanctuary just in time to see him disappear.
But I had no chance to do anything.
Because Toni was next.
And I’d told no lies.
Her very soon-to-be husband lost it when he clapped eyes onthe beauty that was his bride.
It was everything.
When I got home that night, I knew he was there, andnot just because Mom and Dad had left the reception early, taking Liam withthem to spend the night at theirs, so I could party with my friend on her bigday.
So, after I locked the door behind me, I dropped my clutchon the table in the front hall and headed up the stairs without taking off myshoes, even if my feet were killing me.
The light in my room was on.
And when I hit the door, I saw Darius, still in his suittrousers, but his jacket and tie were gone.He was sitting at the side of thebed.
I went right to him.
He opened his legs, and I stopped between them.
He put his hands to my hips and stared at my stomach.
Then he face planted there.
I put my hands on his head.
“Baby,” I whispered.
“Fucked up.”His voice was muffled by material.“Again.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to stay away either,” I said.
He tipped his head back, and my breath stopped at theexpression on his face.
“You did so good,” he said softly.“I’m so proud of you.Youdid so good, baby.He’s perfect.Perfect.”
I gave him a soft smile.“You had a hand in that.”
He shook his head.
I caught it in my hands.“Stop it.You did.”
“I need to get out of your life.”
No.
Nonononono.
I tried to push him back so I could climb on.
He resisted, and this time he meant it, I knew, because hedidn’t budge.
“This was a mistake.You’re better off without me,” hedeclared.
