Page 99 of Let Me Love You

I shake my head. “Sully and Summer will be back any moment. I need to spend some time with her.”

My sister comes to me and reaches out a hand. I reluctantly grab her and let her pull me to my feet. “I’ve already called him. He’ll take care of Summer for the few hours we steal you away. Now go get changed.”

Before I can argue, she gently shoves me in the direction of the stairs. Once inside my temporary room, I find comfortable jeans and a flowy top. I’m not showing yet, but it feels right to have loose fitting clothes on.

I reach for my phone and swipe open my conversation with Victor. I read through his last texts again.

Victor

I’m really sorry about everything.

Victor

How are you feeling?

Victor

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for whatever you might need.

His last text came through this morning—the reason for Sully taking Summer out for a little while.

Victor

This house without you and Summer isn’t a home. It feels so empty, and I miss tripping over Summer’s toys. I miss seeing your beautiful face every morning. I miss Summer’s giggle.

A tear breaks free and trails down my cheek. His words are loud and clear, “I love you.”

I … I love you, too, but I’m afraid it’s too late.

How can two people have a relationship when the trust is shattered? Paul made sure to show me that people don’t change. They only get worse.

“Is everything okay?” Lana asks at the same time as she knocks.

I nod. “You don’t have to worry. I’m a big girl.”

She sits on the bed beside me, and I place my head on her shoulder. “Just because you’ve held the world on your shoulders by yourself all this time, doesn’t mean you can’t lean on us. You aren’t alone.”

More tears escape, and I gasp. Now that the flood gates have opened, I’m not sure how to close them again. Lana wraps her arms around me, and I lean into her. When my body starts to tremble, she holds me tighter.

She runs her hands over my head in a soothing motion. “Shhh, everything is okay.”

I’m not sure how long we sit here like this, but I let all of my tears flow until there’s no more to cry. Lana says nothing the entire time.

I pick up my head and look over at my best friend. “I’m sorry. I just—” Shit. How do I say I fell in love with my temporary husband? No, he wasn’t temporary. Not anymore. I never would’ve allowed him in my heart or to have sex with me if it was all still just a contract. “I love him.”

“You don’t have to tell me that. The positive pregnancy test proved it already.” Lana pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You aren’t the type to hook up. If you have sex with someone, you love them. End of story.”

Had I already fallen for him back then and was just too afraid to admit it to myself?

“What am I supposed to do? Summer loves him, too. And in eight months, the baby will be here. He or she will eventually wonder what happened.”

Lana shoves to her feet and waves for me to follow. “Come on. Let’s go. If I know you, you’ve probably been here torturing yourself with those questions this whole time.”

I don’t have enough energy to put up a fight, so I comply. As they trail behind Lana and me, Harmony and Abigail say nothing about my red, puffy eyes. We head back downstairs and go outside. I’m still not sure where we’re going, but Lana knows me best.

***

I’m rushed inside the only hair salon in town, Becky’s Salon. Yes, the same Becky who snubbed Victor at Frank’s Restaurant. She fills in as a server when they’re short staffed. And we were lucky enough to get her that day.