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“Said he had so much to say to me, and now I'm back, it’s not worth it.”
“Ouch.”
“Well, I wouldn’t mind, but he cheated on me,” I exclaim quietly so Beau doesn’t overhear.
“No!” Emily’s face gapes.
“Oh yes!”
“Men.”
I scoff and rest back in my chair. “It was years ago, and I never really wanted to come back, but when my father passed and left us the house, I decided to come home, give Beau thekind of upbringing I had in a village. I didn’t think he would be here,” I confess. “He had plans. I didn't know he was still in Richmond, and my father never said anything.”
“Does it bother you that he is?”
“Yes and no,” I admit. “He has moved on and is in a relationship. I have Beau. A lot has changed. It's just awkward. I was so humiliated when he—” I stop myself from divulging all my life to her. “Sorry.” I sigh. “I was adjusting to being back and I was shocked to find out he and all his friends never left, but I was coping, you know, moving forward and focusing on Beau and the shop, then he turns up and…” I frown into my glass, swallowing painfully.
“You still have feelings for him,” Emily whispers sympathetically. I should hope not after what he did.
“Not this Cameron, no. The old one I held on to, but coming back has taught me a lot. He’s not the same person. I'm not.”
“Grace’s uncle?” Emily pries.
My lips twist, and I sigh. “He’s not actually her uncle, but yes.”
“He’s really hot and her dad,” Emily says with an apologetic grimace.
I hum, not wanting to admit I still find Cameron ridiculously attractive. “Anyway, now you’re away from your ex, are you dating or…?” I smirk.
“Same as you, just focusing on me. I'm not sure I want to date yet.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I laugh, sipping my wine. “Another, or are you driving?”
“I walked.” She holds out her glass for me. When I return, she is watching Beau with intrigue. “This is probably super personal, but?—”
“You want to know about Beau’s dad?” I say, seeing that same look on her face as I have on others.
“Sorry, it’s none of my business.” She looks back to Beau with a heap of horses and unicorns on a mat.
“It’s fine. No one really dares ask, but Beau knows the truth. I used a sperm donor.” I'm open about it; it’s not something I go around telling people because Beau knows and understands in her own way that it’s just us, and that her dad gifted her to me. I explained he doesn’t know about her, but he'd love her if he did.
Emily blinks, surprised. “Oh, I mean, you're stunning. I thought there was some guy floating about, a deadbeat dad, an estranged ex, armed forces.” She scoffs. “Sperm donor was not on my list.” She chuckles.
“I think after the whole cheating thing, dating was never on my radar, but I wanted a family, and I decided to just do it alone. My parents, although they are separated, have supported me with her and she’s amazing.” I smile at Beau’s scrunched-up face, trying to pull the mini brush through the horse's matted mane.
“She is, you are, I can’t believe you have brought her up alone. Wow.”
“I'm taking that as a compliment.”
“Do it. Hell, I haven’t even got my life together and you're a mum of one, own a business and house. You must be so proud of yourself,” Emily says with a shine of emotion in her eyes.
“I guess I am.” I smile softly. I can succeed with all this, but the thought of dating sends me into a mild panic. Here I am, comparing myself to Cameron’s wife, wondering about their relationship, about his life, when I should be wholeheartedly focused on mine. I'm doing well. I'm achieving, and I have an incredible daughter. Emily is frowning into her drink, now looking thoughtful. “We all reach our goals at different times. You’re just readjusting your course. You’ll get there.”
“I know. I had it all, a mortgage, a partner, this luxury lifestyle, and I find out it’s all based on a lie, so I left.” She shakesher head. I realise at that moment she is as lost as I am. I may seem like I have it together, but I’ve been floating through life with Beau at the helm for focus. If I can help this girl get back on her feet, then I will.
“What do you mean?” I say softly.
“He had a gambling addiction. Had gambled everything away and plunged us into thousands and thousands of pounds of debt. We hadn’t been making payments. Even when he was caught, he lied. That's what I couldn’t forgive. I packed some things, cleared what was left in my account and walked away.”
