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Chills ripped through her chest.Marriage? Throughout their relationship they had been very cautious. James had only just told her he loved her for the first time. Granted, she assumed he did. It hadn’t been a surprise when he’d told her. She felt the same. Which was why none of this was fair. She wanted to tell him she loved him back and throw her arms around his neck and tell him they’d make it work.
But if she did that, there was no telling what the consequences would be. She’d finally come full circle. At first, she was willing to risk anything to have James’s attention. But now she’d give anything to be Brielle—to have more control over her future.
It might sound crazy to James or to the people in town, but she didn’t think she could follow through with her desire to fall in love with him and ride off into the sunset. Her stomach churned and she rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “We both knew that when we started getting closer that it might not work out.”
He shook his head. “This isn’t about something ‘not working out.’” James pointed at her. “This is about you being too scared to fight for something that makes you happy. If you hadn’t listened to me about becoming a veterinarian, then you would still be at home dwelling in your quiet unhappiness.”
Constance shot up out of her seat and headed toward the door. She had expected him to be upset. But she hadn’t expected him to lash out at her—toblameher. He’d been so sweet up until now, offering to be patient as she worked some things out.
Well, she blamed herself enough for both of them.
He didn’t have to add to the pain she was dealing with. He rose, his features crumpling. “Where are you going?”
She slung her purse on her shoulder and shook her head as the first hot tear skittered down her cheek.
James took a step toward her. “Constance, I’m—”
“No. I’m sorry, James. I should have known better than to let myself get involved with you. I’m going home. I’m sorry about dinner.”
“Constance,wait,” he pleaded.
She stopped, her hand on the doorknob. Squeezing her eyes shut, more tears fell from her lashes. This was best for both of them. She didn’t know when Brielle would get engaged. It could be next year, or it could be in five years, or it could be never. There was a slim chance her father would acquiesce to the idea that her sisters deserved to find their own loves, but she couldn’t put all her eggs in that basket. She’d gotten her career and that would have to be enough.
Taking a deep breath, she released it as she turned the knob. He wasn’t speaking. Deep down she knew if she turned around to look at him, she wouldn’t be able to leave. “By the way, I love you too, James. And one day there might be a chance for us. But right now, you could lose more than you might realize. I’m not going to ask you to wait for me. Trust me when I say that this is the best option for both of us.” With that, she pulled the door open and slipped out into the night.
Her quick steps propelled her toward her truck and she climbed in before she could change her mind. She’d given him a good enough reason. He didn’t need to know every little detail. If he did, he’d only argue with her. Or worse—he might confront her father.
Constance rested her head on the top of the steering wheel and took several deep breaths, then started her truck and drove away.
* * *
“Hey,Constance. Where were—what on earth happened to you?” Brielle darted in front of Constance as she moved through the house as quick as she could to avoid making contact with anyone—most specifically her father.
Unfortunately, Brielle was in her path and she didn’t seem willing to step aside.
Constance brushed at her cheeks, but they were dry and her skin was stretched tight from the salt in her tears. “I’m fine,” she muttered as she attempted once more to move past her sister.
Brielle shifted with her, blocking the way to the stairs. “No, you’re not. What happened? Did James—”
Constance’s sharp gaze cut to Brielle’s. “Don’t say a single word about him. He didn’t do anything. It was all me.” This time she shouldered her way past her sister and made it to the stairs, where she could finally sprint away from the one person who would be able to cause the tears to return.
Brielle’s shuffling behind her made it clear she didn’t think the conversation was over. When Constance made it to her room, Brielle managed to slip inside before Constance could lock her out.
Dianna was curled up in a chair in the corner of the room, a book in her hand. She lifted her eyes to where Constance threw her hands into the air. “Fine. Stay. I’m not talking to you.”
“Oh yes, you are.” Brielle shut the door behind her and leaned against the door. “I told James to stay away from you. But did he listen? Of course not. Why would he listen to me? He only wants what he wants and doesn’t care about the consequences,” she said bitterly.
Constance shot a confused look in Brielle’s direction, then dragged her attention to her dresser where she placed her purse. She yanked open the drawer that contained her pajamas and attempted to tune out her sister’s incessant “I told you so” lecture.
“Bri,” Dianna snapped, successfully stopping their sister’s tirade. “This isn’t about you.”
Constance could feel the exact moment when both Dianna and Brielle were staring at her—expecting her to finally tell them what happened. They’d be sorely disappointed if they thought she’d share anything that had happened between herself and James tonight.
What was she supposed to tell them? Thatshebroke up with him after she’d been so insistent over being able to date?
Ha.
That wasn’t going to happen.
