Anna’s parents were at her apartment when Anna and Myles arrived. Edith was talking with them, while Zack sat in his grandma’s lap. He struggled off when he spotted his mother.
“Grandma and Poppa are here. They came to visit,” he said, jumping up and down.
Anna picked him up and gave him a hug.
“I see they are. Are you being a good host?”
“What’s a host?”
“Someone who has company over. Hi, Mom, Dad.”
They both rose and crossed to greet their daughter and the man who’d soon become part of the family.
“This is Myles Riker. Myles, my parents, Amelia and Tony Molina.”
Tony shook Myles’s hand. Her mother surprised her by hugging Myles.
“Welcome to our family,” she said. “I hope you will always keep my daughter happy.”
“I’ll do my best,” Myles said.
Edith stayed only a little while before leaving.
Zack loved being the center of attention and acted up a little until Anna warned him a time-out would be forthcoming if he didn’t settle down a little. He looked at Myles.
“Your grandparents are going to be here for a while. There’ll be time to spend with just them,” he said.
Zack nodded and went back to sit in Amelia’s lap. Soon he was dozing.
“Edith said he didn’t have a nap,” Tony said, watching the little boy. “We got here shortly after two. We had a great drive in from the airport.”
“I’ll put him in his bed,” Myles said.
Once he’d left the room, Anna looked at her parents.
“Well, what do you think?”
“Honey, we just met him. He seems nice, but it’ll take a few days to get to know him better,” her mother said.
“The question is, what do you think?” her father asked.
“I think he’s wonderful. He’s patient and kind and is great with Zack.”
“You are not marrying him just to get a father for Zack, are you?”
She shook her head.
“No. I’m marrying him for me. It’s just a bonus that he wants to be a father to Zack.”
When Myles returned, he sat on the sofa beside Anna and looked at her parents.
“Questions, I’m sure.”
“How did you two meet?” her mother asked.
For the next hour, Myles easily answered all the questions the Molinas asked.
Even when her father asked about his monetary situation and Anna protested.
“I’ve been working abroad for the last dozen years. The company pays well for hardship locales and provides housing. I’ve saved quite a bit and invested it. Anna won’t have to worry about money.”
“That’ll be a switch,” Amelia said, glancing around the small room.
“Mom.”
“Will you have to work, or can you stay home with Zack?” her mother asked.
Myles replied, “That’s up to Anna. She likes her job, so if she wants to continue, that’s fine with me. But I’d be as happy to have her stay home with Zack.”
“And any other kids we may have,” she said.
They talked about their plans for finding a house. For a small wedding.
“Honeymoon?” her mother asked.
Anna looked at Myles.
“We haven’t talked about that.”
“We can later,” he said.
He was getting impatient with all the conversation. What was the verdict? Did the Molinas think he was suitable for their daughter?
Finally, her father looked at his watch.
“I think we better head for the hotel and check in, Amelia,” he said. “We’ll meet for dinner at seven?”
“That’ll be fine, Dad,” Anna said, rising when he did.
“You’re not staying here?” Myles asked, also rising.
“Not enough room. And only one bathroom,” Amelia said, standing. “If you buy a house on the Island, get one with more than one bathroom.”
When they’d gone, Myles looked at Anna.
“What did they say, anything?”
She went to him, oddly touched at his vulnerability. She always thought of him as invincible.
“They’re happy I’m happy. It’s awkward when meeting the first time, I know. But they like you, I can tell.”
“You are better at gauging their reaction than I am. Are you sure your father will go along with it?”
She laughed.
“Yes. He was worse with Tom. Of course, we were still teenagers when we were first dating, but he even asked Tom for his five-year plan. Like a high school kid had such a thing. Relax, Myles. What’s not to like?”
“As long as you keep thinking that way,” he said, kissing her. “I’ll go clean up and change and pick you and Zack up at six-thirty.”
“See you then.”
While Anna showered, she considered the afternoon meeting. Her parents had been more concerned than she expected, but who could blame them? She’d agreed to marry a man she hardly knew, who had no family or even friends in the area.
Yet she knew it was going to be a happy marriage. Myles gave her security and contentment and yet excited her as no man had before. She was looking forward to finding a place together. Making a home for their family. Sharing holidays and birthdays. Watching Zack grow to manhood.
She also liked the idea of maybe adopting a child or two out of foster care to complete their family. She knew Myles would want an older child as he’d been when available for adoption. He’d never been chosen. Maybe they could change the life of a boy or girl and include them in their family.
The rest of the weekend passed quickly. The Molinas spent as much time with their grandson—and new son-in-law-to-be—as they could. Anna was pleased everyone seemed to get along, but there was no strong bond forged.
That would take time.
Her parents had known and loved Tom for years. It would take a while for Myles to find his way with them. She hoped they’d try. It was important to her he found acceptance with her family. He’d been without one of his own all his life. She wanted him to be part of hers.
Monday morning, her parents flew home. Anna went to work as normal. When she returned home that evening, Myles was there with Zack.
“Where’s Edith?” she asked, after greetings had been exchanged.
“I sent her home about a half hour ago. I came by after my hours at the preschool. Brad also came this afternoon and Phillip Goldstein. We just about have the playground up to code.”
“Let me change and I’ll start supper.”
“We can order in. I want to talk to you about looking for a house. It takes a bit of time after we find a place to close escrow. I’d like to move right in after we get married.”
“Sounds fine to me. I’ll be right back.”
He’d printed several sheets of listings on the internet of houses in different towns on Long Island. After ordering in a Chinese dinner, they sat together and looked at the different properties. All were waterfront dwellings. Some were huge, with matching price tags.
“We can’t afford these,” Anna said at last.
The one on West Islip that was pictured on one page was an ideal home. She’d love to see inside. But no use going there. It was way out of their price range.
“Yes, we can,” he said, studying another.
She looked at him.
“We can?”
How much money did this future husband of hers have? The homes were in the millions of dollars range.
He glanced at her, caught her gaze. “What?”
“Exactly how much can we afford?” she asked.
He shrugged.
“I’ll let you know if we go over my limit. None of these will break the bank.”
“You’ve saved more than a million dollars?” she asked in disbelief.
“I earn a lot of money, plus hardship bonuses. I’ve invested pretty well, and it just keeps growing.”
She looked at Zack and then gazed around her apartment.
“I can’t believe this,” she murmured.
“Hey, it’s just money.”
“You’re rich.”
“Well-off, I’d say.”
“How well-off?”
“I don’t know offhand. Do you want me to get my financial advisor to fax you a copy of my portfolio?” he asked whimsically.
“I don’t even have a financial advisor. Myles, are you sure about getting married? I’m not bringing much to the union.”
He put down the papers and reached for her hands.
“You are bringing yourself and Zack, both beyond price. Never let money come between us.”
Anna smiled at his reply. Tom had made a good living for them, but it looked as if Myles was in a class by himself. She vowed to do all she could to make sure he was as happy as she was with their marriage.
When the Chinese food arrived, Myles helped Zack wash his hands and soon they were all eating. Mules used chopsticks.
Zack watched, fascinated.
“I want sticks,” he said.
“You won’t be able to eat with them,” his mother said.
“Myles can. I can, too.”
“It takes practice,” Myles said.
He took another set of chopsticks from the pile in the center of the table. Breaking them apart, he rubbed them together to make sure they were smooth for little boy hands.
“This is how you hold them,” he said, patiently showing Zack the way.
Zack dropped everything he tried to pick up. He grew frustrated and before long threw the chopsticks across the room.
“They’re stupid,” he said, his lower lip coming out.
“Go over and pick them up,” Myles said.
Zack glared at him. “No.”
“Zack,” Anna began.
“Please, let me. If he doesn’t recognize my authority in some things, it’ll make for a bumpy road. Zack, we do not throw things in this home. Please go and pick them up, now.” Myles said.
Zack stared at him for a moment longer, then grudgingly got off his chair and went across the room to retrieve the chopsticks.
When he put them on the table and climbed back into his chair, Myles said, “Thank you. If something makes you frustrated, you need to find other ways to display that rather than throwing things. Can you remember that?”
Zack nodded, looking at his mother, his eyes filling with tears.
Anna wanted to grab him up and comfort him, but she knew Myles was right and Zack needed to remember that.
“Eat your dinner with your fork. You can learn chopsticks when you’re big, like Myles.”
“I don’t like Myles,” Zack said.
Anna saw Myles’s expression go blank. She knew the childish words hurt.
“Maybe not right this minute, but you’ll like him again soon. Eat your dinner.”
To Myles, she said, “Kids say that all the time. The first time Zack said he h-a-t-e-d me, I thought I’d never stop crying. It broke my heart. But he forgot he said it about ten minutes later. Kids say things they don’t mean.”
Myles nodded and resumed eating.
Anna wished she could go comfort him. But he, like Zack, had lots to learn about making a family. There would always be some hiccups along the way.
Monday night set the stage for the rest of the week. Myles came to the apartment when he finished working at the school. He and Anna would have dinner together, sometimes preparing it themselves, sometimes ordering in. They spent time with Zack and once he was in bed, they’d look at different real estate offerings, read about school districts and try to agree on the best place to live.
Thursday night, when they sat together after Zack went to bed, Myles put his arm around Anna.
“I have to fly to Washington in the morning. They moved up my physical.”
“That’s short notice.”
“I said I’d take any cancellation. Once I’m cleared, I’ll talk to the company’s project director and see what plans they have for any building projects in this area.”
“And if not?”
“Then I quit and find something around here.”
“That’s risky.”
“Hey, I’m good at what I do. I’ll find a job, don’t worry.”
“When will you be home?”
“I’ll stay in D.C. for the night, get an early flight back on Saturday. It’s another workday at the school. I think it’ll be the last. Several parents came during the week to work when I did, which helped move along faster than originally expected.”
“Your being there is what moved it along faster,” she said. “You’ve been wonderful.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her.
Anna loved their quiet evenings together. They talked about everything, from current events, to books they liked—she mysteries, he biographies. They discussed moving some favorite pieces of furniture with them and getting rid of the rest and buying new.
And twice Myles brought up getting a puppy. Anna wasn’t convinced.
“You’ll call me after you see the doctor,” Anna said when she walked him to the door later.
“Of course. As soon as I know. See you Saturday.”
Anna closed the door softly and leaned against it. She’d miss him until Saturday. She was getting spoiled with his constant presence. At least Zack had behaved better after his brief tantrum on Monday. She wanted Myles to love him as much as she did.
Anna, Betsy and other mothers were doing the last of the cleanup on Saturday when Myles strode into the room. He’d called Friday afternoon, but she’d missed the call because she’d been in a meeting. Everything was fine, had been his message.
She thought he might call last night, but he hadn’t.
She saw him as soon as he stepped in the room and met him halfway, almost running the last few steps. He caught her in his arms and kissed her.
The calls and clapping of the other mothers ended the kiss. Anna felt embarrassed, but the good-natured teasing had her smiling. Myles looked around, dazed.
“He’s been gone for sooo long,” Betsy said. Then turned to the other mothers and added, “Since Thursday night at eleven.
Laughter followed her statement.
“I remember those days. Now I’d just as soon have the kit and caboodle gone for a weekend to have some me time,” one mother said.
“I’d like to stop working weekends,” another added.
“We’re out of here soon and doesn’t the school look great?” Betsy said.
“Last inspection on Monday. Mrs. Harper said Myles would be our point man,” another added.
“Guess I better do a run-through to make sure everything is okay,” he said, brushing his fingers against Anna’s cheek.
She smiled, wishing they could just go off and be alone this instant. Patience was a tough virtue to learn.
“So, when’s the wedding again?” Betsy asked as they went back to work.
“Last week in June. We’re going to look at houses tomorrow,” Anna said, polishing one window until not a streak or speck remained.
“We’re going to miss you when you move,” Betsy said.
“And Myles when other things around here need fixing,” someone said.
“He might come back to help,” Anna said, wondering if she’d see these wonderful people again.
“He’ll be needed at Zack’s school when he starts kindergarten. You can’t imagine all the activities that call for parents’ involvement.”
“Right now, I can’t imagine Zack in kindergarten. He’s growing up too fast,” Anna said.
“Amy is my fourth and will start in the fall. My oldest is already in sixth grade. The years fly by.”
Anna had heard that from her own parents. She wished she could keep Zack little forever, but couldn’t stop him from growing. And she found such delight in seeing everything she took for granted being discovered by him. She could double her fun when Myles also got to be involved.
Myles left the schoolroom with the laughter of the women still echoing in his ears. He didn’t care about making a public display. He’d been eager to see Anna. He’d never expected to miss her so much in the short time they’d been apart.
He’d had plenty to do. The physical had been grueling—to make sure he could deal with the hardships that arose with overseas work.
Once he passed that, he’d gone to see the director of International Projects to let him know he wasn’t going back.
When the man expressed dismay, Myles offered to transfer to any project they had in New York. Anna had strong ties to New York City, and he didn’t want to move her any farther away than Long Island. He’d enjoyed his weeks in the city and would love the opportunity to discover all New York offered.
A new high-rise complex was in the planning stage and the director of Domestic Projects jumped at the chance of having a man of Myles’s background and knowledge be a key player. Myles could start work in early June. Time enough for him to return to the job site in the Middle East and wind up his affairs there.
If he missed Anna this much after being gone only overnight, what would a week or longer in the Middle East be like?
He’d soon find out.
“Hey, how did it go?” Brad greeted him when Myles found him in the boiler room.
“I passed.”
“So, the next step?”
“Head back out to the job site to wind things up. Then I start a new assignment for the company here in New York.”
“Man, that’s great. I was worried you and Anna would take off for one of those far-flung countries.”
“I wouldn’t take a family there. Besides, didn’t you hear? We’re looking for a house out on the Island.”
“Almost as bad. Leaving here, I mean. It’s been good working with you.”
“Likewise, man.”
Together, Myles and Brad did an inventory of all the changes made. Myles double-checked that everything had been brought up to code, and he had the documentation in order for the building inspector’s visit on Monday. The school was in better shape than it had been in a long time.
“Want to go for a beer after this?” Brad asked.
“I heard that,” Betsy said, coming into the hall. “What about us?” she asked as Anna stepped up beside her.
“Of course I meant for you two to be with us. How could we bear to be apart?” Brad said dramatically.
She cuffed him lightly on the shoulder.
“Good answer. How about it, Anna, got time?”
“Up to Myles. I have a babysitter who’s there for the entire day if I need her.”
“And will move with them when they go,” Betsy added for her husband’s sake. “We have the Jablonsky twins. And your niece when we need her.”
“I know, but they’ll all graduate from high school before Bethany is old enough to watch herself. So who’ll fill in then?”
Myles watched the interaction, enjoying the camaraderie. He’d had that at his work sites, but this was different. Couples with similar goals, working together. Usually, when he had paid leave, he’d date the prettiest woman he could find with no strings attached. And certainly no feeling of belonging, of building something for the future together.
“Zack’s okay. I checked before I came here,” Myles said.
“Devoted daddy already,” Betsy said. “Lucky you.”
“I know. And not just for that,” Anna said, joining Myles.
Several couples went out for a late lunch together. Myles enjoyed spending time with them—no dangers of mines, no endless sand without a spot of shade to be had. He especially enjoyed being linked to Anna. Everyone liked her and seemed to share in her happiness.
He was almost sorry the job at the school was over.
Not that there wasn’t a lot to do in the next six weeks. Changes on every front.
On Sunday, Myles rented a car and drove them all to look at houses. Anna sat in the front. A car seat was provided for Zack and he and Edith sat in the back. The older woman had protested she didn’t need to go, but Myles had insisted. It was going to be her home as well, and he wanted her to have a vote.
“Well, I never,” she said, smiling mistily at him. “Thank you, young man.”
Anna grinned and reached out to hug him.
“You’re so special,” she whispered in his ear.
He’d do all he could to make her happy.
They drove slowly through the little towns to see what amenities they offered. Many had merely a supermarket and gas station. A couple had movie theaters and larger shopping areas. When they reached West Islip, he drove around, finding the schools and the churches from the map the real estate agent had sent him.
At last, they met the agent and toured three houses. It was a long day. Zack ran around each one, not understanding the implication. Anna loved each kitchen and couldn’t wait to try out some of her mother’s recipes in them. Edith was enthusiastic about the in-law suites. One property had a pool, which Anna suspected would need to be constantly monitored lest a small child fall in.
On the drive back, Myles asked which she liked best.
“The second one, I think. Which did you like?”
“I liked that one. And the first.”
“The first was way too big for our family.”
“We may have more children,” he reminded her.
“True.”
“And I’d be around to help with housekeeping,” Edith said from the back seat.
“Which did you like?” Anna asked.
“I liked them all. Each in-law unit is larger than the apartment I have now. And with a lovely garden to work in, how grand is that?”
“I don’t know if I’d like gardening. Except for pots on the windowsill, I’ve never grown anything,” Anna mused.
“Nothing much grows where I’ve been. All that green grass is amazing,” Myles said.
“It looks like Central Park.”
“We don’t have to decide today. We have other listings we can check out,” Myles said.
Myles was disappointed Anna hadn’t fallen in love with any of the homes. He thought they all were nice. He’d no idea how long it took to decide on a house. But he wanted her to pick the one they’d live in.
After dinner, Myles read to Zack. When his son fell asleep, Myles stayed beside him on the bed. Zack had been excited about every house, running up the stairs, stamping his feet with no admonition to keep quiet, not to bother the neighbors. He could see his son growing up in every one of them. Having friends over, playing in the pool if they had one.
One day, he’d be a teenager and then off to college.
Myles closed his eyes for a moment, appreciating all he might have missed out on had he not bumped into Anna that day. He couldn’t imagine life now without her in it. Or Zack. He was eternally grateful.
When he rejoined Anna in the living room, she had an array of pages spread out.
“I think I’ve found the one I like. We’d have to see it, but what do you think?”
She handed him one as he sat beside her. It described a brick colonial. The front lawn was beautiful, sloping gently to the road. He looked at the photographs of the rooms and backyard. There was a swing set already installed, a play area and a covered sandbox. A pool was behind the house, surrounded by tall shade trees.
“We can go see it one day this week.”
“Or next weekend,” she said.
“I won’t be here then,” he said slowly.
“Where will you be?”
“I have to return to the job site and wind up my part. I’m leaving on Thursday and will be gone at least a week, maybe longer.”
“Oh.”
Disappointment was clear in her expression. Then worry replaced it.
“I’ll be coming back,” he said to reassure her.
“Unless you get blown up by another land mine,” she said. “Can’t you have someone else handle it?”
“It’s my responsibility,” Myles said.
She sighed.
“It sounds so right when you tell Zack about responsibility, but I don’t like this.”
“Me, either, but I’ll be home before you miss me.”
“Not possible,” she said, leaning against him in contentment.
They were silent for a few moments. Myles took a deep breath. They were growing closer day by day. But the largest obstacle to complete honesty lay before them. He wondered if she’d tell him about Zack before they married.
He wanted to reassure her why it didn’t matter an iota. But so far nothing seemed to lend itself to that discussion.
He wanted all the old life cleared up, both his work in the Middle East, and the truth about Zack’s paternity.
“Zack is a wonderful child. You’ve done a terrific job with him.”
“Thanks. It hasn’t always been easy. But I wouldn’t trade him for anything.”
Myles waited a moment. This was as perfect an opening as he could give her. He hoped she’d say something about it being hard to be a mother without the father, that when they had first adopted Zack, she and Tom had planned a long life together.
But Anna remained silent.
Time was running out. He’d to leave soon, and he wanted her to know he knew about Zack and didn’t care. In fact, he relished the knowledge that she didn’t have to raise him alone from now on. And that he was Zack’s father.
It’d be easier to tell her if she’d bring it up. But Anna continued to snuggle close, obviously content with her own thoughts.
Or was she struggling to find a way to tell him? Was she the one who couldn’t have children? It didn’t have to have been Tom. Was she worried that would impact him someway? He wanted her whether she could have children or not. His love for her was not based on her ability to bear children. He loved her for herself and always would.
“The house you like has five bedrooms and an in-law unit.”
“Mmm,” she said.
“Could be we’d need to work to fill them up.”
“Could be,” she said.
“I’m not against adoption, you know,” he said easily. “I wish someone had adopted me once my parents were no longer in the picture. But by then I was an older child—no one wanted to.”
Now she’d say how she couldn’t bear for that to happen to another child, how they’d joyfully adopted Zack to give him a family and a permanent home.
“I’m sorry you weren’t. You couldn’t have been much older than Zack is now.”
“But maybe not as charming. I can’t imagine anyone seeing Zack and not wanting to adopt him.”
“Good thing he’s not available,” Anna said.
“Not now.”
She sat up and looked at him, frowning slightly. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
“Then why say Zack’s not available now?”
“I mean, not now. Earlier, maybe.” How much of an opening did she need? His heart sank. Did she not trust him?
“Never. Even if something happens to me, my folks would make sure he was loved and taken care of.”
“I could do that.”
She smiled slightly and nodded.
“Zack’s my son,” he said.
“I’m so glad you think like that. I’ve heard stories about women marrying and the new husband wanted nothing to do with their children.”
“I mean, he’s really mine. I want to adopt him or change his last name, or something, so the world knows.”
She pulled back a bit and tilted her head to better see him, obviously puzzled.
“I think he should keep Tom’s name. That’s all the legacy Tom left him. He’d be your son in every way that counts.”
“He is my son.”
Myles stood and walked to the window.
“I had a detective find you to tell me if he was all right, that he was being raised well. I didn’t expect to actually meet you and Zack.”
“What are you talking about?” Anna also rose and went to stand by him. “What detective?”
“The one I hired to find Zack. I didn’t know his name, of course, just that Tiffany had given up my baby for adoption.”
Anna stared at him for a long moment.
“Myles, Zack is Tom’s son.”
“I know you two adopted him. And that makes him just as much Tom’s son as if Tom had fathered him. But you don’t have to pretend with me. Together, we can explain to Zack.”
She stepped back, a look of horror on her face.
“Is that what all this has been about—Zack? You think he’s yours? Is that why you insisted on getting to know me, getting to know Zack? You have a child somewhere and thought it was Zack?”
He turned to look at her.
“I know it’s Zack.”
“Just what do you know?”
“Tiffany gave up our son. T.J. and Anna Tucker of New York City adopted him. I came to New York when I was recuperating to see if I could get a glimpse of Zack. I wasn’t planning to stop. But when you asked for my help, everything changed.”
“Tucker is a very common name. What does T. J. stand for?”
“Thomas, I assume.”
“It isn’t me,” she whispered. “It wasn’t Tom. His middle name was Caldwell. I can prove it.”
“What do you mean?” Myles asked, not understanding.
“Zack’s my child. Mine and Tom’s. I have pictures of me being pregnant. Me in the hospital with Zack. Us at the christening. Tom and I did not adopt a child. Zack is our biological child. DNA can prove it in an instant.”
She stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest, watching him warily.
Myles stared at her in incomprehension. This was turning out all wrong.
She was supposed to be relieved he knew the truth, not putting up barriers.
“The detective said—”
“Well, I’d ask for my money back if I were you. He got it wrong.”
She turned her back on him, her hands rubbing her upper arms as if she were cold.
“All this is because you thought Zack’s your son,” she repeated.
“All what?”
He stepped closer, aware he’d made a major blunder. It changed little. He still wanted Anna. It might take a little while to absorb the news she gave. Zack wasn’t his son.
He would still be Myles’s. Once he and Anna were married. For a moment, he took a breath. It would come out all right. He took a step closer.
“I’d like you to leave now, Myles,” she said, her back still to him.
He took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face him.
“I’m not leaving until we hash this out. I obviously made a mistake. So I’ll keep looking for the boy Tiffany and I had. It changes nothing for us.”
“I think it changes everything. Please leave.”
She pulled away and went down the hall. He heard the bedroom door close.
Stunned, for a moment he couldn’t move.
Zack wasn’t his?
He loved that little boy. How could he have bonded so quickly with the child if there wasn’t a connection?
The same way he’d connected with Anna so quickly. He fell in love.
For a moment, Myles stared ahead seeing nothing. Love didn’t recognize biology or blood. Love came from all directions, for all people.
He went down the hall and knocked on her door.
“Anna, talk to me, please.”
“No. Go away, Myles. Go away.”
He waited a long moment. He should have waited to talk about this. There was a reason she never brought it up. There was nothing to bring up.
“Anna, I can explain…”
There was no further sound from her room. Slowly he went to the front door. He hesitated, then opened and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him.
Anna heard the outer door close. She was leaning against her bedroom door, her heart breaking. She’d been so happy just moments before. Now the crushing pain was excruciating.
She loved Myles.
And he wanted to marry her because he thought Zack was his son.
From the very beginning, he’d encouraged their relationship because of a mistaken idea her son was his. She could hardly breathe.
Theirs was a relationship based on a lie. There would be no wedding, no new house on Long Island, no Myles in her life anymore.
She held her breath against the pain, but tears flowed and she crossed to curl up on her bed, sobbing as quietly as she could into her pillow.
After a while, the tears ceased. Lying listlessly on the bed, she tried to see when she might have realized that Myles hadn’t been as in love as she’d expect a man to be to get married.
Granted, he’d never said he loved her, but she could excuse herself for seeing his every action construed that way. What other man would take on a woman and her child, plan dates that included activities for Zack, work at the preschool?
Only, it wasn’t for her. It was all for Zack. Or who he thought Zack was.
She’d excused his lack of telling her he loved her due to his background. A child growing up without love might not know to say it. But now she realized that had little to do with his not telling her. He’d been honest in that, at least.
It’d been so hard to move on, to let herself trust in the future again, to plan to build a new life. But she’d done it. Only to have it slap her in the face. She’d have done better to never have gotten involved than end up like this.
Longing for Myles’s arms, she ached to be held, yearned for his kisses. She’d love to just sit beside him and feel safe and cherished. How could things chance so radically, so quickly? She’d miss planning for a future together. She’d always miss him.