Page 104 of Dream Weaver

Paralyzed with shock, I listened to her speed down the drive and out of earshot. Even then, I strained for some hint of her swinging into a U-turn and rushing back.

Seconds ticked by. A minute. Two. Every tick of the clock chipped another piece off my heart.

I listened for a long, long time, but the only sound outside was the mournful wail of the wind.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ABBY

I drove down the road, wiping my eyes. Cursing Jay. Liselle. Even Cooper. But most of all, cursing myself.

The road was scalloped from overuse, but I raced down it anyway, then flew out onto the main road. An oncoming car hit its brakes, beeping wildly.

I cursed them too.

A police car passed in the opposite direction, and I wiped my eyes again. Was driving while blinded by tears a punishable offense?

I drove without thinking, and for some reason, instinct took me to Heavy Metal Sedona. I pulled up by the rear doors, then slumped. I’d never felt more broken or pathetic.

It was Sunday. A day off. The sun was shining. The sky was a postcard-worthy blue. Claire was safe and happily entertained. I’d spent two incredible nights with a sweet, sensitive man.

But I’d walked out on him.

I winced when my own subconscious attacked me.Just like Mom.

And, ouch. That cut. Deeply.

My mother had a longlove ’em and leave ’emhistory, dumping an entire series of men, as well as her own daughters.

My father had walked out on me countless times too. Even when I’d reasoned and pleaded with him, as Cooper had done.

God. I was just like them.

Don’t ruin this,I’d told myself that first night with Cooper. But that’s what I’d just done.

I stuck my face in my hands and shuddered with sobs that refused to come. They just dammed in my throat, choking me.

Neither of my parents had real relationships. Neither had real friends. And here I was, alone on a Sunday. At work, for lack of a better option.

Actually, it was even worse — I did have better options.

Option one: rushing back to Cooper and begging for forgiveness.

Option two: driving home and commiserating with my sisters.

Option three: cooling off for an hour, then rushing back to Cooper and begging for forgiveness.

I just couldn’t bring myself to do any of those things.

I wrapped my fingers around the steering wheel and leaned my head against it. Pa-fucking-thetic. That was me.

On the other hand, forgetting my daughter was totally unforgivable, especially when I was facing a custody suit. That was what made me march out Cooper’s door, despite my soul screaming to stay with him. I couldn’t afford to look like a woman who slept around. Jay — and his lawyers — would pounce on that and use it to steal Claire from me. Not only for joint custody, but maybe full custody.

I knew what Erin would say. She was always the reasonable one.

One night with a great guy is hardly sleeping around.

Two nights,Pippa would point out with a waggle of her eyebrows.

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