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“I think I’m going to be sick.” Eloise got up from the step and hurried inside. She needed a drink of water and maybe a sleep aide so she could go to bed early and come back to this with a clearer head.
Brielle followed her. “If you decide you want to go see him, I’ll go with you.”
Eloise stopped. She faced her sister and gave her a firm stare. “I’m only going to say this once. Leave him alone. I don’t need you meddling. If everything is the way it appears, then I’m going to cut my losses.”
“What is that supposed to mean?Ifeverything is the way it appears? He broke up with you, Eloise. There is nothing to interpret.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She spun around and headed for the kitchen.
Maybe.
* * *
“I can’t believe this.I’ve tried calling him four times and I’ve sent him three text messages asking him to see me. What is wrong with him?” Eloise paced out in the pasture where she’d been exercising her horse.
Marc leaned against the corral and shrugged. “Sometimes guys have to put their tails between their legs and just let the consequences of their actions take place.”
She stopped and stared at him. “What is that even supposed to mean?”
He glanced away. “I don’t know. I think I was just trying to say I agree with you.” He rubbed the back of his neck and then peeked at her again. “It’s like when you make a mistake and you have to own up to it. You do it in the way you can handle. Maybe Shane knew he wouldn’t be able to see you face-to-face without it breaking him.”
“I’mbroken.Hebrokeme!” She resumed her pacing. “We were in a relationship, but the only people who knew were you and my sister. I can’t even talk about this with anyone else because no one would believe me, or they’d say Shane was a terrible human being.”
Marc didn’t say anything. His lack of response caught her off guard, but she shoved the concern aside.
She continued, “Shane isn’t a bad guy. He’s the nicest person I know. He’s helped so many people.”
“Nice people can be bad boyfriends, you know,” Marc said quietly.
“That’s just it. I don’t feel like he was a bad boyfriend either. Shane was thoughtful, and he made me laugh. He opened up to me.” Her voice grew softer with each thing she said. “I think I loved him, Marc.”
Heat filled her face and the tears started again, only this time they were embarrassed tears. She covered her face with her hands and let out a groan. “I can’t believe I let this happen.”
“You didn’t let anything happen, Eloise.”
“You sound just like my sister,” she said. “And I didn’t let her talk me out of this either. I know I should have done more. I should have gone straight to his work and talked to him that day when he messaged me. Now he’s got his office locked, and he’s got his secretary screening his calls and personal appointments.” The tears increased. Each time she blinked another one spilled down her cheek.
Marc moved toward her, crossing the dirt to pull her into his arms. She resisted at first, unwilling or unable to allow herself any comfort her heart longed for. But Marc persisted. His arms were secure around her, holding her tight. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to.
Simply being there was enough to stop the tears from falling.
She lost track of how long they stood like that. Eventually, when she pulled away from him, he allowed her to have her space. Eloise let out a watery laugh. “I’m sorry, you probably have zero interest in hearing about my love life.”
“It’s fine. Like I told you before. Your friendship is important to me. I’m gonna be here in whatever capacity you need me to be.”
Eloise waved off his hand and laughed again as she wiped her own face. “I’m such a mess right now. I can’t imagine anyone would want to be my friend at the moment.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. I’d be your friend if you were covered in mud like those pigs at the barn.”
She laughed again, and this time it sounded more genuine. “I’d wager their company would be preferable to mine.”
Marc shook his head. “Not a chance. You are worthy of love.”
Her eyes widened, unsure of how to react to that.
“You are. Just because one guy messed up doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to find it again. You are the most amazing woman I know. And I need you to believe that.”
Chills rolled off her as she stared into his eyes. What was she supposed to say to that? Was he hitting on her? No. They’d talked about it before, and he knew how much she loved Shane. She couldn’t even think about opening her heart again after what Shane had done.
