“Hold up.” Dalton took the paper, and his eyes widened when he saw the length of my list. “Damn, woman. You aren’t fucking around.”
“Well, it’s a chance to catch some great sales on Christmas presents.”
“Mm-hmm.” A smirk crossed his face as he asked, “So, who’s getting the 55-inch flatscreen TV?”
“Well, that one’s for me.”
“And the fancy sheets?”
“Those are for me.”
“And the iPad?”
“That’s for me, too, but it’s a really good price, and I’ve always wanted one.”
“If you want it, we’ll get it.”
“Is there anything you’d like to look for while we’re out?”
“Nope, I’ve got everything I need.” He pulled me in for a hug, then suggested, “Why don’t we do a little divide-and-conquer with this list of yours? Then, I can take you home and celebrate Black Friday the way it’s meant to be—in bed.”
“Hmm… that’s very tempting.” I eased up on my tiptoes so I could see the list. “Why don’t you grab the earbuds and iPad, and I’ll go get Mom’s robe and the sheets, then we can grab the TV on the way out?”
“You got it.” He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “Be careful and call me if you need me.”
“I’ll be fine.” I glanced down at my watch and said, “I’ll meet you back here in forty-five minutes or so.”
Dalton and I parted ways and set out to grab our designated items. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about shopping solo, but I didn’t want to torment Dalton any more than I had to. Not wasting any time, I rushed into the store where the cotton, 1200-thread-count sheets were on sale, then searched for Mom’s terry cloth bathrobe.
Thankfully, neither were hard to find, and I was on my way back to find Dalton with time to spare. When I approached our meeting spot, I was surprised to find him standing in a corner talking with a young woman. They were both so engrossed in their discussion that neither of them seemed to notice the crowds of people scurrying around them. They certainly didn’t notice me as I came up behind them.
I was about to speak up and let them know I was there when I heard the woman say, “I always thought you’d be the father of my children. That’s what I always wanted, and if I’m being honest, it’s what I still want.”
It was at that moment I realized the woman he was speaking to was Sadie—the woman he’d once loved and adored. Dalton didn’t respond to her comment. He simply stood there completely silent and watched as she ran her hand over her pregnant belly, which in my mind spoke volumes. “You should be the father of this baby, and you would’ve been if you hadn’t sent me away. I loved you so much. I still love you, and you may not want to admit it, but I know you love me, too.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I couldn’t bear to hear it, so I bolted for the door and never looked back. My heart felt like it was shattering in my chest as I ran out to the curb, waved down a taxi, and fought with my packages to get inside. As soon as I closed the door, I gave the driver my address and sat back in the seat. We’d only gone a couple of blocks when I got a text message from Dalton.
Dalton:
Where are you?
Me:
I left.
Dalton:
What do you mean you left?
Me:
I’m going home. Goodbye, Dalton.
I turned off my phone and tossed it into my purse. That’s when the tears I’d been holding back started to fall, and they continued to fall until I reached my apartment. I hated that I’d gotten so upset. I should’ve known better. I shouldn’t have gotten so attached to Dalton. I just couldn’t seem to help myself. The past few weeks with him had been better than I could’ve ever imagined. It was just so easy with him. I could let my guard down and just be me. He’d gone above and beyond to show me how good things could be between us, and I hated that seeing him with Sadie had me doubting what we had—but it did.
As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I dropped my bags down on the kitchen table, then went straight to my bedroom and changed into my pajamas. I was still crying as I crawled into bed and pulled the covers over my head.
The second I closed my eyes, all I could see was Dalton and Sadie together, happy and holding her newborn. That very image had lingered in the back of my mind for months, haunting me, and now my worst nightmare was becoming my reality. I curled into my pillow and continued to sob. I had no idea how long I’d lain there crying in the dark when I heard someone pounding on my front door.