Chapter 29
Heartache had never been Davina’s strong suit.
Love always sounded so appealing, but on the rare occasion she got to taste it, the flavor was fleeting at best. The disappointment left in its wake, the longing and despair. These were emotions with which she was well acquainted, their bitter taste at least predictable and true.
Zach would always leave, just as he had all those years ago. Of this, she had no doubt. There was nothing for him here, the sheer ordinariness of her life standing out in stark contrast to his achievements and abilities.
He’d come back to visit Wyatt, maybe even try to take up with her while he was here, but that would simply perpetuate the cycle of heartache and despair, never really allowing her time to heal in between.
She wasn’t a woman who could settle for part of a man, not even if he was the only man she had ever loved.
She took a sip of her wine, then dropped a pound of dried spaghetti into a pot of boiling water.
This would be their last meal before he returned to New York, and while she’d been tempted to impress him with some culinary delight, it seemed more fitting she make him something from which it was easier to walk away.
“Smells good in here,” he said, crossing to the stove and putting his arms around her waist. “What are you making?”
She wiggled away. “Frozen garlic bread.”
“That works for me. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She forced a smile onto her face. “Why don’t you and Wyatt set the table?”
She made it through the meal without sobbing into her plate and actually enjoyed watching the two of them joke back and forth. It seemed Zach was off to a good start being a father, and she could wish for no more than that.
She was clearing the table when Zach asked, “What do you say we get some ice cream for dessert?”
“Yeah!” yelled Wyatt.
“You two go,” she said. “I’ll clean up here.”
Zach touched her arm. “Come with us.”
“I really don’t want ice cream.” She scooted around him and into the kitchen. He followed her, carrying several plates. “Please, just go. Let me get this.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Honestly? I’d just like to be alone. Take Wyatt. He’d love to go.”
He stared into her eyes, then sighed. “Okay. We’ll be back in a little bit.”
“Take your time.”
His flight was in the morning. She knew the others had already gone. What was he hanging around here for, anyway? Just to prolong the goodbye? She dropped the dishes in the sink, ran some water, and poured herself more wine, the bottle slipping from her wet hands and shattering on the floor.
“Goddamnit.” Red wine was splattered all over the floor and cupboards.
She sank down and began picking it up, the very first piece slicing into her finger.
“Shit!” She threw the glass into the garbage, cursing a blue streak.
Nothing was going right this evening, not dinner, not Zach, nothing.
She let out a cry of pure frustration, just as the door to the garage opened wide.
There stood Zach. “Are you okay?”
“Why are you here?” she screamed. “Can’t you just leave for one freaking second?”
“I forgot my wallet.”
“Well, then get it and go.”
“I can help you—”
She turned on him. “I don’t want your help! I want you to go. I want you to take Wyatt for ice cream and then bring him home, then get on a plane and get out of my life. Can you do that for me? Please?”
He crossed to the island and picked up his wallet, leaving without saying a word.
She threw half a loaf of garlic bread at the door, letting the tears come as they would.