Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
He deserved to be a father, and he deserved to build a life with a woman who could give him that ten times over.
I knew it would hurt, and I knew we would both cry, but I’d never be able to live with myself if I didn’t tell him goodbye…
TWENTY
Dahlia
Raindrops struck the shop’s tin roof, serving us the sounds of soft percussion. Occasionally, thunder rumbled somber chords in the distance, but Everett and I never added lead vocals to the weather’s symphony.
His eyes were locked on mine, and my breakup reasoning hung in the balance—unchallenged and unanswered for what felt like forever.
“Dahlia, Dahlia, Dahlia…” he said, his voice hoarse.
I waited for him to say something else, but he stood and walked toward the hydrangea display. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head slowly.
“Why did you keep the positive pregnancy test to yourself?” he asked.
“I wanted to surprise you,” I said. “I wanted to give the ultrasound picture after I went in for the appointment.”
“And you honestly think I would’ve left you if I came along on the day you miscarried?”
“That’s not the point, Everett…”
“You don’t have one.” He gritted his teeth, still looking as hurt as he did when I left him. “None of what you just told me makes any fucking sense.”
“You would’ve kissed me, told me that things would be okay, and that we could keep trying,” I said. “You would’ve sacrificed years of your life waiting for a day that had a five percent chance of coming.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it fucking is.” I could see it in his eyes. “And even though you’re the best man I’ve ever known, you would’ve silently wondered what would’ve happened if you didn’t stay with me. If maybe we were only meant to last a season instead of a lifetime because you’ve always—always, wanted a child of your own.”
Silence.
The thunder strikes up another round of percussion; this time, its song is angry.
“Thank you for finally telling me the truth about why you left me,” Everett stepped back. “I need some fresh air.”
I didn’t mention that we were steps away from the open garden.
I just watched him leave.
—
Two Weeks Later
TWENTY-ONE
Dear Guests,
I regret to inform you that my marriage to Carmen Ashley Reese is canceled.
I apologize for any inconvenience this change in plans may cause, and I thank you for RSVP’ing early.
Sincerely,
Everett Anderson
P.S. I don’t “regret” anything. This ridiculous template wouldn’t let me add my own wording to the top of the letter, so I’ll place that here.
Carmen has been cheating on me since the day we met—with multiple men—and was only with me for what I could do for her financially.
If you know a couple in love that wants to be married here in Eads River near our original date, let me know, as I still plan to honor all the contracts with vendors accordingly.
TWENTY-TWO
Everett
“You know, I don’t think you needed to cancel the wedding so abruptly.” Leo walked onto my balcony and handed me a coffee. “You could’ve given it a few more weeks to breathe.”
“So, people are talking?”
“Everyone is talking.” He stepped closer. “I don’t think Carmen will ever be able to show her face in this town again.”
“Good.” I shrugged. “It’s not like she was serious about being a homesteader anyway.”
“You don’t know that,” he said. “The last time I talked to her, she was talking about all types of farm stuff.”
“Like what, Leo?”
“Don’t quote me, but I know she mentioned that she was going to have an exterminator come out every day to make sure she never saw a bug anywhere.”
“Exactly.” I sipped my coffee. “Good riddance.”
“When are you heading back to New York?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Don’t forget to cancel whatever plans you made for my bachelor party.”
“Oh, right.” He pulled out his phone. “Carmen actually helped me make those. Want to know where she was having us go?”
“Not really.”
“Cool.” He set an envelope on my desk. The seal bore Dahlia’s handwriting, so I put it where I’d placed the three others she’d sent me this week.
I was still processing everything she’d told me, trying to convince myself she was wrong. That I would’ve stayed and not regretted a thing, but all I could remember was all the baby talk between our mothers. How she must’ve felt hearing how excited everyone was about “a day that had a five percent chance of coming…”
“If you haven’t canceled the Ibiza honeymoon,” Leo cleared his throat, interrupting my thoughts, “can I push up the date and take my girlfriend instead?”
“That’s the real reason you came here to see me, isn’t it?”
“What?” He scoffed. “Not at all, man. I can’t believe you think I’m that selfish.”
I crossed my arms.
“I came here to make sure your heart is okay after you lost out on a cheating woman who I never liked from day one.”