“What?” Charlotte lightly smacked my arm. “Why? Because you’re engaged to a controlling asshole? Screw Maxwell Forman. He’s a jerk.”
I gave her a scathing look. “He wasn’t always this way.”
“Does it matter? You can’t change him, and you can’t keep hoping he’s going to become that boy you knew. He’s dangerous, Cara.”
“I know. I saw that when I came in the door and he cornered me.”
“What are you going to do?”
I sighed, knowing the decision I had to make, and it had nothing to do with R.J. “I’m going to call off the engagement. It’s been a long time coming.”
She placed her hand over mine and squeezed. “Are you okay?”
“No, but I think once I talk to Max, I’ll feel a lot better.”
“What about the biker?”
I stood up and pulled off the bloody clothes, tossing them into a spare trash bag from under the sink. “I’m going to visit him in the hospital.”
“And?”
Shrugging, I moved toward the shower and turned on the water, letting the temperature heat the bathroom. “I don’t know. He’s in my life for a reason. I’d like to get to know R.J. better.”
She smiled, hovering near the doorway. “You deserve to find love and happiness, you know. We all do.”
I couldn’t disagree. “You and me both, Charlotte.”
THE NEXT WEEK WAS QUICK to pass especially with my busy schedule at work. Friday afternoon Leah stood shyly outside the door of my office, peeking in only after I called her name.
“Leah?”
“Hi.” She shifted nervously from foot to foot.
“What can I do for you, sweetie?”
“My birthday is Sunday.”
“I know. You’re going to be eight!” I announced excitedly. “That’s wonderful.”
She smiled a grin that was missing a tooth. “Will you come to my birthday party tomorrow? Rae made these pretty invitations.” She walked toward me and placed the invitation on my desk. “I really want you to see my Frozen party. Elsa and Anna are my favorite.”
How adorable. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” I’d have to go by the store and find something Frozen themed as a present. Sophie liked Frozen too. She had all the dolls. “Is there anything you wanted special for your birthday?”
She shook her head. “Just all my friends and you and Rae.” She scrunched up her nose for just a moment like she was thinking hard. “And cake and ice cream.”
“Wouldn’t be a birthday without them,” I agreed. She was just too cute.
“It starts at two. You can’t be late.”
“I won’t,” I promised, having a sudden idea. “Can I bring a friend?”
“A boy?” She sounded disgusted which almost made me laugh.
“No. My sister has a little girl named Sophie that’s eight. She loves Frozen. Can I bring them?”
Leah’s eyes widened. “Yes!”
Laughing lightly, I nodded. “Good. We’ll be there on time. I promise.”