“It is, Parker. It’s the worst thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I need certainties. Absolutes.” I shake my head. “And feelings? They’re too unpredictable.”
“So you’re not even going to try?” she shouts, throwing up her hands in frustration. “You’re not even going to take the risk, knowing it could work out and be the best thing that’s ever happened to you?”
I want to. My god, do I want to.
But every time I even consider it, I remember staring at that 3D ultrasound of what I thought was my baby’s face as I watched Sadie pack her things and walk out of the house where I thought we’d build a family.
A lone tear slides down my cheek, but I quickly swipe it away. “I can’t.”
“Can’t?” She sucks in a shuttering breath. “Or won’t?”
I bring my hands to her arms, touching my lips to her forehead. “I’m sorry.” I linger for several long moments.
Then I pull back, continuing to my car, placing my suitcase in the back.
“I’m not her, ya’ know,” Parker calls out just as I’m about to slide behind the wheel.
“What’s that?” I glance her way.
“I’m not Sadie. You’ve spent the past few years keeping people away because of what she did to you. And I get it. But you know what they say, don’t you?”
I swallow hard, remaining silent.
“The best revenge is living well. You may have millions in your bank account, but we both know money is just colored paper. Are you really living well?”
She holds my gaze, her question twisting around me, taunting and tormenting. Then she turns, her steps determined as she stomps across the parking lot and disappears inside the inn.
I should chase her. Tell her she’s right. That I haven’t been living well.
But I don’t.
Instead, I get into the car and start the ignition. The entire drive to the airport, I curse Parker’s scent that still clings to the air.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
PARKER
A melancholy feeling hangs in the air as I trudge down the snow-lined path toward the playground, mentally preparing myself to answer all of Haley’s prodding questions about how it went with Callum.
A part of me hoped he’d change his mind. That he’d get to the edge of the parking lot and realize he made a mistake, slam on his brakes, and hurry inside, sweeping me into his arms and declaring his devotion.
That never happened.
Instead, whenever I stole a glimpse of the cottage, my heart broke a little more.
I knew there was a chance he’d respond this way. He has valid reasons for avoiding commitments. Hell, he went so far as to get a vasectomy because of what Sadie and his brother put him through.
Still, there was a tiny part of me that hoped I was wrong.
And now I’ll have to rehash the entire thing with Haley while the sting of his rejection is still a fresh wound.
At least, that’s what I expect.
But as I sit beside her, I notice she’s wearing a forlorn expression of her own, her eyes following Maggie as she zigzags around the playground. Her little legs pump enthusiastically as she swings back and forth.
“Penny for your thoughts.” I hand Haley a paper cup of coffee that she happily takes, sipping on it as she turns her gaze back to her daughter.
“She’s so happy. Isn’t she?”
