“Did you know he was in town?” I question, anger momentarily surfacing.
“I did not. If I had known, I wouldn’t have asked you to come.”
I learned at a young age not to ask questions you don’t want the answers to. But I just can’t help myself. “Why not?”
Zane arches a brow. “You know I’m not blind, right?”
“Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean you can always see clearly.” Even as I say it, Jack strolls into the kitchen and presses a kiss to Anastasia’s temple. She smiles up at him, her hazel eyes bright.
Happy.
And watching them together, all I can think is…it should be me.
“I would like to say something,” Linda announces. The table falls silent, with Garrison and me stopping mid-conversation about some computer issues he’s having at the community center.
All eyes turn to Momma Knox.
Her eyes are misty, her smile wistful. “I just want to say how grateful I am to have all of you here each and every week. While our table is not complete without Ryker and Weston, my heart is so full as I look at all of you.” Her gaze travels around the table. “So, thank you for being here. Thank you for loving this crazy old woman.”
“Momma.” Anastasia wraps an arm around her mom’s shoulders and kisses her temple.
“We love you, Momma Knox,” I tell her.
“We sure do!” Thomas announces from where he sits beside his mom. Katelyn smiles happily at him even as her own eyes fill.
“Hormones,” she says with a laugh as she wipes her eyes. Garrison kisses his wife’s temple. Seeing her so happy with my best friend should bring me joy. After all, I know how hard they fought for each other.
But as I sit here, alone, I’m filled with this hollow pit that sucks all the joy out of the air around me. A black hole that I sometimes wish would just swallow me up already.
The conversation starts to resume, a happy distraction from the woman sitting just a few seats across from me.
And then Jack gets to his feet, a hesitant smile on his face. My stomach plummets as he sets his glass down and reaches for Anastasia’s hand.
Her cheeks turn a bright red, her gaze sharpening.
No. Please. Please don’t let what I think is about to happen, happen.
He clears his throat. “If it’s okay, I’d like to say a few things, too.”
Once more, the conversation dies out, but I seriously wish someone would interrupt him. Someone has to talk soon, right? Come on. Anyone!
“I want to thank you, Momma Knox, for inviting me into your family with such open arms. Even though I didn’t come here under the best of circumstances.” He offers a grin at Tessa, whom he originally questioned for murder. Way I see it, we should have kicked him to the curb of Stormwatch Landing the moment we got the chance. “And, Anastasia.” He turns toward her. Anastasia’s face pales slightly, and every single muscle in my body stiffens.
No. No. Please, no.
“Anastasia, you caught me completely by surprise. You’re beautiful, kind, and so smart. Far too smart to have said yes to dating a guy like me.” He drops to one knee beside the table, and Katelyn gasps. Anastasia’s eyes widen. “I know I agreed not to move here right away because we wanted to take things slow, but I can’t wait any longer. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a small black box.
It’s funny that something so tiny could level my world like a perfectly placed explosive device. Demolishing what is left of my heart and scattering it to the wind, never to be found again.
But as I sit here, my entire life flashing before my eyes, it’s all I can do to remain rooted in my seat and not intervene.
“Will you marry me, Anastasia? Will you be my wife? Will you start a family with me?”
I’m going to be sick. My stomach rolls, and bile sears the back of my throat.
Her gaze lifts to mine. It’s brief. Only for a moment.
The fraction of a heartbeat.
