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“Something triggered a—would you call it a panic attack?” Drew looked at Sonya.
“More like post-traumatic stress,” she said quietly.
“Sonya talked her down. She was fine pretty quick, but Trish was shaken.”
“And this happened that day I came by?” I asked again for confirmation.
“Yep.” Sonya placed her hands on top of her stomach.
The same night she’d come to me. The night she’d been desperate to make love. She wasn’t running to me because she couldn’t live without me. She was runningfromsomething.
I thought I’d felt used before, but this only added fuel to an already raging fire. All Trish needed was someone to get her through whatever it was she had going on. This thing between us was all one-sided. For her, I could easily be replaced. For me, I’d never find anyone else like her. Couldn’t imagine ever wanting anyone the way I did her.But would that ever really matter now?
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Trish
“I thinkthey call these things playdates.”
I was still reeling from the fact that Marlow had called, let alone wanted Ella and Blake to have a playdate.
“Um, I guess. Ella’s never had one.”
“Neither has Blake.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I suppose that’s pretty obvious.”
“HOWWW.”
“Still loves that word?” I snorted as the little boy screamed in the background.
“Oh yes. So, I’ll pick Ella up at nine.”
“Are you sure I can’t take her to you?” I didn’t bother denying that we’d be at Paths. I figured Andrew must have told her my living situation.
“In Jersey? Hell no. Besides, I’m taking these two straight to Dad’s.”
I laughed, perfectly okay with Ella spending the day with Mr. Dixon, not to mention grateful. “Does he know that?”
“Not yet.”
“Marlow—”
“This has nothing to do with my brother.” It had been six days since I’d seen him at the fundraiser. My heart didn’t hurt any less thinking about him. It was the best ending for him, and my heart just added another bruise. “The funny thing about being me is that I can pick my own friends. It’s just a bonus if it makes my brothers uncomfortable.”
“I take it Baker is on your list too?” I wasn’t jealous at all. It felt good to branch out, expanding my circle to include more people.
“Yep. Though it’s looking like she and Holt are really going to move in together.”
“Hot damn.” A little voice shouted in the background.
“I swear Ella won’t come home saying that.” Marlow didn’t sound certain.
“If she does, we’ll blame your dad.”
“Mr. Hardaway. You barely made it.”I checked my watch. Almost six.
“You don’t have to be so grateful for a customer,” he huffed, a permanent scowl sculpting his features.
I gave him a tired smile. It had been a hell of a day. Cricket left early and after she had, the bottom had fallen out. I didn’t know for sure, but I had a feeling this was one of my biggest days ever.
