Page 58 of The Addendum

“You’re taking his side. Their side. Over me.”

“I’m not taking anyone’s side!” He shook his head. “You’re not listening. You’re not ready.”

“I don’t know if I ever will be.”

“This isn’t the Ashley I know and love,” he murmured.

“Maybe I’m not who you thought I was,” I replied.

Our gazes locked, anger and confusion flowing between us.

“I think you should go. I need to be alone and think.”

He frowned and opened his mouth, then closed it.

“You know where I am,” he said simply.

I nodded, fighting back the tears.

He turned to walk away then looked back over his shoulder. “Think hard, love. Don’t throw away a chance of having something you have always wanted because you’re afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.”

He shook his head. “Oh, love, you’re lying to yourself now. You’re so afraid, you can’t see past it. You’re pushing me away.”

“You’re the one walking out the door,” I snapped.

“Ask me to stay. Promise me you’ll be honest with your feelings, and we’ll figure this out together.”

“I am being honest,” I replied, “You’re the one not listening.” I didn’t ask him to stay with me. I saw the look of hurt cross his face, and I had to glance away.

“Anger and honesty are two different things. When you’re ready, you know where I am. I’ll be here as fast as I can get to you.”

He paused then crossed the room, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling me close. He pressed his lips to my forehead, his touch lingering.

“Come back to me, Ashley,” he whispered. “Let me in.”

Then he was gone.

17

ASHLEY

A couple of days later, my feet pounded the pavement, rhythmic and smooth. My heartbeat was fast but steady. I kept my focus on my stride, blocking out everything else.

The moment Luc walked out, I regretted letting him. I wanted to run after him, beg him to come back. To hold me. To help me stop the anger that was choking me, obliterating everything else in my life. To help me sort out my feelings.

But I didn’t. I remained locked in place, my hands clutching the counter behind me as if to stop myself. I heard the squeal of his tires as he left. I had never known him to be angry, although some part of me knew I deserved his ire.

I stopped on the trail, taking in deep breaths, then pulled my water from my belt and swallowed some of the cool liquid. Wiping my brow, I checked my pulse. I had been running for a while. Luckily, I had already turned back toward the house. Switching up my pace, I began to walk quickly, needing a bit of a breather. My head was always clearer when I ran.

And I needed the clarity. I couldn’t think of Richard without anger. In fact, I still had trouble thinking of him as anything but Richard. I wasn’t sure if that would change with time, or if my resentment and anger would forever cloud my judgment, not allowing a relationship of any sort with him or his family.

“Which you’re one of,” a voice whispered in my head. I tried to ignore it.

I had been struggling the past two days, even calling in sick to work, shocking them since I had never even been late in all the years I worked there, let alone taken a day off. But I couldn’t concentrate, and I knew I would be useless. Thankfully, there were no big events happening, and my team could cover the small luncheons planned. My roommate, Joyce, was a flight attendant and was on one of her long absences, no doubt sunning herself in Hawaii on a break between flights. She was rarely home these days, and I had to admit, right now, I was grateful. I wasn’t in the mood to be a good roommate.

I was surprised when Halton Smithers called me this morning, asking if I was all right and if I had any questions. I frowned as I mulled over his words, then asked the one question on my mind.