Page 80 of Running to You

When he saw her, his eyes widened. His cheeks turned pink.

She took a guess and said, “Congratulations.”

He looked around, lowered his voice. “We haven’t told anybody. We thought we’d share the news at Mom and Dad’s anniversary party.”

“I won’t spoil the surprise, I promise.”

“Hopefully, you’ll be there too.”

She couldn’t bring herself to hope. “Where is it?”

“Sam’s. He likes to host.”

She could imagine the scene. Sam in his element, serving the family he loved so much.

She lifted a pair of pink baby shoes and slid her finger along the sparkly side. “It’s a girl?”

Grant shrugged. “Too soon to tell.” But obviously, he’d be happy if it were.

She could imagine a tiny girl nestled in those muscular arms, gazing up at her father. The thought had her stupid eyes prickling.

Grant squeezed her arm and turned away, giving her plenty of privacy for her breakdown.

Sam had bought her a ring. She hadn’t had a moment to process that since he’d confessed it that morning.

If only she hadn’t run away. What could possibly have propelled her to do something so stupid, so reckless?

“Hey.” Grant’s voice, not directed at her.

“Where is she?” Sam didn’t sound happy.

“Uh…”

Eliza brushed her tears away and stepped out from behind a display. “What’s going on?”

He stepped up to her. Right in her face. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Apparently, you were with a man.”

The words were low and angry.

“Dude, calm down.” Grant gripped his arm, but Sam shook him off.

“You flew to Denver with him. Spent the night with him. The two of you flew to Manchester.”

She blinked, stepped back. A man? No, that didn’t feel right at all. She shook her head. “I don’t—”

“Don’t lie to me, Eliza. And don’t pretend you don’t know. It’s fine for you to do…whatever with whoever you want. I don’t care. But then you ran to my house, into my arms, as if you couldn’t survive without me. All the while, there was Levi.”

He hurled the name like a grenade.

And it hit its mark. And exploded.

Levi.

Levi!

Oh.

She couldn’t…