Can't Let Go - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,54

Blake, but in her current state of mind, it almost felt as if he was talking about Logan. “Even in the face of such unexpected loss, though, you somehow managed to stay—oh, I don’t know the word. You were luminous, Abigail. It reminded me so very much of your mother.”

“Dad—”

“No, I mean it. The day of the funeral, I was seated toward the back when you arrived. I heard your laughter. I haven’t heard you laugh like that in ages. Of course you were sad—but you still shined so brightly.” Abby felt her heart swell with longing. There had been a reason she’d laughed like that—a reason she had shone brightly at all. One reason and one reason alone.

Logan’s smile materialized in her mind.

“I just wanted to tell you that I’m proud of you, Abigail. I’m proud of the woman you’ve turned into—and no matter what, I will always feel that way.”

She wondered if he would still agree if he knew she’d cheated on her fiancé.

“Thanks, Daddy,” she whispered, suddenly needing to end the conversation. She couldn’t talk to him—not like this. “Listen, I’ve got—I’ve got dinner going, I should really—”

“Oh, of course.” He sounded a bit disappointed, as if there had been more he wanted to say. “We’ll talk later.”

“Sure—later,”

“I love you, Abby.”

“I love you too, Daddy.” She repeated, pushing the button on the phone to end the call. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, telling herself that she had made the right choice. Leaving had been the only option.

She didn’t deserve him. She didn’t deserve the man he’d become—not when she felt so empty inside. He deserved someone light and airy. Someone free. Abigail Lewis was not that girl anymore. She hadn’t been for a very long time.

Except for last night. Last night, she’d stepped back in time—she’d become the girl in the photo from the baseball game who hadn’t a care in the world. Oh, how incredible it had been.

But she’d made promises to people. She’d given her word to a man—promised herself to him. And he was a good man. Eric really was. Maybe he wasn’t exactly the type of man she had seen her life with—but he loved her. And she would make a new life.

It was too late to go back. Too late to change things.

An echo of Logan’s words the night of the funeral sounded in her ears. “It’s never too late, Abigail. When are you going to wake up and see that?”

But he was wrong. He had to be. Because, looking back now, Abby had no idea how she would be able to go back and change things. Even if she wanted to.

And so Abby rose to her feet and returned to the kitchen, finishing the dinner she was preparing especially for Eric. Chicken alfredo was his favorite. She knew he would appreciate it.

When he walked through the door not too much later, she felt a bit of panic well up inside her. Would he be able to tell? Would he notice the change in her? Because, now more than ever, she was certain it was there. Something had changed within her—some quiet little detail, but it had changed the entirety of her being.

“You’re home,” his voice was pleased as she greeted him in the foyer. She smiled nervously, unsure of how to behave. He crossed the way and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I’m glad. I missed you.” He told her and Abby closed her eyes, ignoring the fact that nothing stirred deep within her. “Is that dinner I smell?”

“I went shopping.”

“Well, you’ve gotten quite a lot accomplished today.” If only he knew. She’d cleaned the apartment, gone grocery shopping, made dinner, and finally let go of the man she’d been trying to forget about for the last six years, all in one day. That, she mused sarcastically, was quite an accomplishment. “Shall we?” He asked and she nodded, leading him into the kitchen. The meal was laid about on the table, already waiting.

“I have some news, Eric.” She said halfway through.

“Oh?” His eyes, for just a moment, grew nervous. “Good news, I hope.”

Abby nodded, swallowing. “I’ve resigned from Rumor.” His eyes lit up and she could tell he was truly pleased by the information. Something within her was slightly disappointed at the reaction.

“That’s excellent news, Abigail. Now you can use the next few months to concentrate on the wedding.”

“Well, I had planned on looking for another job—”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Abigail. Take some time off. You never