he lives and breathes for her. How he gave me something I never thought I’d have more of.
Family.
None of it was true.
Everything had been a part of the keep Audrey away from the truth game they’d been playing. It might as well have been called make Audrey fall in love with us while we make her look like a fool.
Wait.
I’m not in love with them.
That’s impossible.
It was only days in the grand scheme of things. Yet my body is wracked with the pain of loss. My sobs are uncontrollable.
I’ve never felt this . . . empty.
I didn’t cry when Stan left me. I went to work.
I’m not sure I ever want to get out of this bed if it means facing this pain.
I pull my knees up to my chest and hide under the covers. I can’t unsee Perry’s happy face when we delivered the dollhouse to Maggie. I can’t unfeel the generosity and warmth of the moment.
Cookies. Christmas trees. Skates. Flannel shirts. Painting. Laughter. Joy. Pictures.
It all swirls in my head until I can no longer take the weight of their pain and finally give in to sleep.
Chapter Thirty-One
Colin
It’s been a little over a week since she left.
Nine long days ago, she took my heart with her. I’ve been going through the motions for most of the day. I haven’t stopped smiling because of the little person with me who fills my heart in just the right places. But the hole Audrey Reed will remain.
I’ve been hoping she’d reconsider and call. The radio silence is killing me.
My parents were reluctant to leave today, but the cold is terrible for Mom’s arthritis. My sisters drove back home and took our parents to the airport.
When I left Perry at school, she asked when Audrey would be back.
I’ve yet to break the news to my daughter that I lost the girl, and we no longer have a friend. What am I supposed to say?
Sweetheart, I messed up, and she’s never coming back?
Okay, I need to work on the delivery to make it more eloquent and less angry. I’m upset with myself. I sprung my feelings too soon, and to top it off, I hid vital information from her.
But I swear we seemed to be in sync. Maybe that’s the problem. I was wrong about her all along, and what I thought we had was one-sided.
Fortunately, I have clients to visit, quotes to prepare, and a kid who needs all my attention. I’m tired of thinking about what I did wrong and how I could’ve acted. What is done . . . well, it happened, and I have to move on.
Next time . . . I rub my chest, thinking about the next time. I don’t want there to be a next time. I love Audrey.
Instead of brooding, I make my way around town. Mrs. Pollard needs help taking down the New Year’s Eve decorations. At the hardware store, Frank wants me to look at his roof. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to spot any issues with the drone since everyone’s roofs have snow from last night’s storm.
When I reach Morgan’s shop, he’s in his office staring at the monitor.
“Shouldn’t you be watching soap operas at home?”
He looks up at me and laughs. “Nah, I’m trying to get everything ready for my accountant. At least you still have your sense of humor.”
Clicking his mouse a few times, he finally focuses on me. “Why are you here?”
“Well, it was nice of you to get Audrey’s rental ready, but . . . I need my truck,” I say. “You know, the one you parked on the corner and haven’t touched since it arrived.”
His eyebrow raises, and he crosses his arms. “What’s happening with Miss Reed?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused. “Did you forget to submit the claim for it?”
He’s got to be kidding me.
“No, I mean, what happened between you two?” he asks. “Your truck should be ready next week. You have an SUV, and if you need to use one of my trucks for work, you can just come by.”
“Well, then, next week,” I confirm.
“And Audrey?” he insists.
“You fixed her car, she’s back in California, and we’re all hoping she won’t tell her boss that Mom owns the place. Then again, I think she will—to save her job.”
“Uh-huh.” He bobs his head a couple of times. “So that’s it. You just give up on her?”
“No, more like I accept we’re not happening,” I conclude. “If you’re wondering about the B&B, I’m