Page 78 of Rejected Heart

“How can I help?”

“I was hoping you might be able to spare a couple of guys to handle things for me at the amusement park today. I might only need the morning, but I need to take some time to seek her out and get some answers. I can’t keep doing this, Coop. I’ve lived empty for eight years. At the very least, I’d like an explanation.”

“And if you’re hoping for more than just an explanation? If you’re hoping for the best?” he questioned me. “What does that look like?”

I looked away and considered the possibility of a best-case scenario. The last thing I wanted was to have a negative mindset going into this, but it seemed such an unlikelihood that I’d ever have what I really wanted.

I returned my attention to Cooper. “In a perfect world, I’d give Roselle another aunt and some cousins. You’d have another sister-in-law.”

Understanding dawned on his features. “She’s always been it for you.”

“The question remains if I’ve ever been that for her.”

Cooper hesitated a beat before he said, “Take the time you need. I’m almost finished with this. Afterward, I’ll have Marco take over my tasks for the day, and I’ll cover for you at the park.”

“I appreciate it, Coop.”

“Yeah, well, I’m going to hold you to your word. I want a niece or nephew from you.”

Something indescribable hit the center of my chest. Layla and I had been apart for so long, and the hurt andbitterness between us were just as fresh and raw as they had been the day that she turned down my proposal. But the idea of having a life and family with her was something that I still longed for. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make that happen.

“If it was up to me, that would have already happened.”

“I know. I hope it works out for you, Liam. Honestly, nobody deserves it more than you. Whatever you need, even after today, I’m happy to help.”

“Thanks, Cooper.”

He waved his hand in the air dismissively as he moved back to the machine. “Don’t mention it. Now, go figure out how you’re going to win back your girl.”

With that, I turned and walked out.

It was time Layla and I had a real conversation.

19

LAYLA

“I was wrong.”

Like she could read my mind, my mom said the words that I’d had rattling around in my mind for hours now. Days, even.

It was morning, though later than typical for us, and we’d just finished going through our new morning routine of getting my mom bathed and dressed before we made our way downstairs to have breakfast. Without being able to bear weight on her leg yet, we tried to limit her trips on the stairs to first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.

We’d fallen into this routine since she’d been released from the hospital, but we’d both slept in this morning.

With Carmen stopping over to visit with her yesterday, my mom had spent more time awake and laughing. It had been great for her soul and spirit, but it wore her out. As for me, it had taken much longer than usual to fallasleep last night. I’d come home, crawled into bed, and replayed my night with Liam over and over in my mind.

It was safe to say I’d had plenty of thoughts as I tossed and turned, and there was no question I’d wondered about the mistakes I’d made, particularly when it came to Liam.

And for my mom to tell me that she was wrong, I immediately worried she knew what had happened last night and regretted her decision to push me out the door for hours.

As I sat on the opposite end of the couch from her, I looked in her direction. “What are you talking about? Wrong about what?”

Sadness and a hint of defeat washed over her expression. “I thought I was doing a good thing for you yesterday. I had hoped you were going to wake up feeling refreshed and energized after having a night out to yourself. But it seems the opposite is the case. It’s like you’ve got the weight of the world resting on your shoulders. I’m sorry about how my accident has taken such a toll on you.”

Guilt cut through me like a knife. I hadn’t realized I’d been wearing my feelings on my face, and I certainly hadn’t intended for my mom to think that she was a burden to me. “I’m not upset about your accident. I mean, obviously, I’m upset you were so severely injured, but I’m not mad about being here to take care of you.”

“But I can see that you’re struggling, and it’s worse than it was before you went out last night,” she reasoned. “What did you wind up doing, anyway?”

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