Page 6 of Don't Regret Me
Stepping onto the old porch, he lifted a hand to knock, bringing it down in a steady rhythm. Then, he waited. Sound came from the other side of the door moments before a young man pulled it open.
But Nick barely saw him because his gaze traveled to the woman standing in the hall behind him, the one who shouldn’t be here.
Sherrie.
4
ELIZABETH
“Come on, squirts. You’re going to be late.” Elizabeth hurried through the kitchen, cleaning up after breakfast while the kids were supposed to be getting themselves dressed.
Owen appeared first, wearing a pair of jeans that had gotten a bit too short and a polo shirt. She’d never get over how adorable he looked in his favored polos. He was like a little adult.
When Evelyn ran from her room, she nearly crashed into the kitchen counter before her brother stuck out an arm to stop her.
“What are you wearing?” His face scrunched.
She had on what Elizabeth called her mermaid dress. It was bright green with ruffles at the shoulders and those sequins that changed appearance when she brushed a hand over them. Underneath the dress, Evelyn wore gold sparkly leggings. She topped the outfit off with bright purple cowboy boots. No one would ever claim she was the height of fashion.
“How do I look, Mom?” She grinned, turning with a dramatic flourish.
“Beautiful, honey.” Elizabeth couldn’t help smiling back.
Owen groaned. “I am not walking into school with her.”
Evelyn elbowed him, probably harder than she needed to.
“Last one to the car has to hug me in front of all their friends.” Elizabeth plucked her keys off the counter as the kids sprinted out the front door, jostling with each other for first position. Mornings like this reminded her why she’d fought so hard. Not only to beat the cancer but to return to this life, even when her heart wanted to stay at that lake house with Nick.
After dropping off the kids at school—and getting no hugs—Elizabeth headed toward Emma’s diner and the meeting she’d dreaded all week. Corey.
There’d been a time when seeing him was all she ever wanted, when she hadn’t thought it possible to love a man more than she loved him. Now, she knew it hadn’t been real. Not truly. What she felt for him was only a fraction of what she felt for… someone she tried not to think about. Because that wasn’t real either.
Walking into the diner, she was glad the place was mostly empty. The owner, Callie, smiled at her. “Morning, Liz.” Her smile fell a fraction. “He’s in the back.”
Everyone in town knew her story, knew of her history with Corey. He’d once been a golden boy here, growing up to star on the prized hockey team. Now, everyone knew he’d abandoned his own kids.
The man didn’t look any different. Dark hair sat messily atop his head, falling into his amber eyes as he hunched forward. Eyes she’d know even in the darkest night. A strong hand came up to rub the back of his neck. She’d felt so safe with him, so cared for. Until she didn’t.
“You okay?” a voice said beside her.
Elizabeth relaxed. “Book.” She wasn’t sure Booker would come. He hated Corey as much as she did, but she’d asked him anyway. “I’m good now.”
Glancing sideways at him, she caught his lips twitching as he tried not to smile.
Reaching down, she slid her hand into his. “Thanks for coming.”
“Always. You ready?”
She nodded, and together, they walked the remaining distance to the booth. Corey looked up, his smile turning into a sudden scowl when he saw Booker at her side. “Really, Lizzy? You couldn’t come alone?”
“To meet you?” She slid into the booth, pulling Booker with her. “No. You remember Booker?”
Corey nodded, his lips pressed together.
Booker had been her best friend for years, but when Corey was around, he was only her doctor.
A waitress stepped up to the table. “Morning,” she said, her voice cheery. “What can I get you, folks?”
