Page 79 of Love in Overdrive

“That didn’t go well.” The shock and intensity of her interaction with Cade had left her reeling inside, but on the outside, she was devoid of any reaction. She climbed in her car and turned on the engine.

She didn’t want to end things with Cade. Why had she even said any of that stuff? She was always the good girl, the A student, the dutiful daughter, the supportive wife, and where did she find herself? Divorced, working two jobs to make ends meet, and always wanting to be someone else.

Except when she was with Cade.

She was exhausted. Not just physically, but emotionally. And she had royally screwed things up. Being her own woman wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

By the time Laney was halfway across town, she felt ripped in two with the opposing emotions warring inside her. As she turned onto her street, the realization hit her she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.

Her eyes grew itchy and stung, and her nose started to run. She reached in her pocket for a tissue and came up empty. Tears clung to her lashes as she dug in the glove box. One fat drop rolled down her cheek at the same time as her fingers landed on a fast-food napkin. In an instant, she had gone from strong woman to weeping child, sniffling the rest of the way home.

She pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine. She dropped her head to the steering wheel. “I’m an idiot.”

Yes, she’d only known Cade a short time, but their relationship moved fast and furious, no matter how hard Laney tried to slow it down. She loved Cade. Laney gulped at that realization. She would miss him with her whole heart and soul if he wasn’t in her life. From the first moment she saw him at The Barn, she knew he was special.

He didn’t have to be her “Prince Charming.” He only had to be himself.

She could be her own woman and still have a great guy like Cade in her life, couldn’t she? If not, independence was overrated.

She slumped in her seat. Didn’t everyone long for a partner to weather the storms and celebrate the victories with? Someone who balanced out the parts of themselves that were lacking? And loved you for them, anyway? It was human nature… or was it just her foolish romantic heart wishing really loudly?

Lord, she was tired of fighting with herself. She grabbed her wrap and purse and pulled out her keys.

Inside, she dropped to the couch and slipped off her shoes. “This is absurd. I’m losing it.”

She should call him. Then what? Beg? Grovel? Plead insanity? Hope he felt the same way about her as she did about him? He never said he loved her or wanted the same future she envisioned. You do make me happy…

Pulling out her phone, she stared at the screen.

The neighbor’s dog barked, drawing her attention. Jax was really worked up about something.

She reached for the curtain. Was someone here? Cade?

The front step was empty. Her chest fell. She dropped the curtain and stared at her phone.

Tell him.

“Alright.” She scrolled through her contacts twice, then dropped her phone on the couch. “What if he doesn’t answer?” She paced with nervous energy.

What if he does?

Okay. She sucked in a breath and picked up her phone.

It rang.

“Men suck.” Addison’s frustration came through the phone, loud and clear.

“What happened? I thought you had a date tonight?” Sounds like Laney wasn’t the only one whose night turned into a dumpster fire.

“Not anymore. My Saturdays are free for the foreseeable future.”

“Oh no. Did something happen with Mr. Louis?” Laney never liked the idea of Addison dating her boss—her married boss, even if he was separated. It didn’t sit right with her, but she wouldn’t say anything. She couldn’t even get her own love life figured out.

“I found out Mark’s a lying ass. He hasn’t filed for divorce. I was working late at the office, getting ready for taxes, and an email receipt came in for the upcoming conference in Europe. With a little snooping, I found he had booked a stay at a French vineyard. So naturally, I thought he was going to ask me to go with him.”

Laney held her breath. She didn’t need 20/20 vision to see this one coming.

“Yeah, no. He took me to dinner, and I waited. Thinking about what I would pack, but he didn’t mention it. You know I don’t have the patience for him to get around to it, so I asked him.”

Laney heard Addison’s frustration through the receiver.

“He’s taking his wife. It’s their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary this year. Ugh! And to think I was considering taking it to the next step this weekend. I’m glad I didn’t.”

“I’m sorry—” Laney shook her head. “No, I’m not sorry. I feel bad that you were misled and hurt, but he wasn’t right for you.”

“Oh, honey. I should have thought about how you would feel about me dating a man not yet divorced. I’m the one who’s sorry. I swear, no more. I don’t care if the guy claims to be separated. If I don’t see a divorce decree, I’m out.”

“Did he fire you?”

“No. He’d be in a world of hurt if he tried. I run that office. Anyway, sorry to bust up your night. I hope I didn’t interrupt you and Cade.”

Tears welled in Laney’s eyes. She sniffled. “No.”

“Oh, honey. What happened?”

Laney dropped to the couch. A sob slipped out. “I screwed up.”