She’d been right to leave him. He’d pushed her to ride again, knowing how devastated she’d been by her friend’s accident. He’d badgered her to forgive herself for mistakes she’d made in the past without truly understanding how difficult that was for her. But worst of all, he’d taken her love and given nothing back.
Liam reached into his pocket and drew out the engagement ring. The diamonds winked in the dim artificial light. How many of his former girlfriends would have given it back? Probably none. But they would’ve been more interested in the expensive jewelry than the man who gifted it. Which explained why he’d chosen them in the first place. With women who wanted nothing more from him than pretty things and a good time, he never had to give of himself.
What an idiot he’d been. He’d stopped dating so his head would be clear when the right girl came along. And when she had, he’d thought to impress her with a trip to Vail and a big engagement ring. But Hadley was smart as well as stubborn. She was going to hold out for what really mattered: a man who loved her with all his heart and convinced her with words as well as deeds just how important she was to him.
Up until now, he hadn’t been that man. And he’d lost her. But while she remained in Royal, he had a chance to show her how he truly felt. And that’s exactly what he was going to do.
Thirteen
After abandoning Liam and Maggie at the hospital, Hadley took a cab home and spent the rest of the day on the couch watching a reality TV marathon. The ridiculous drama of overindulged, pampered women was a poor distraction from the guilt clawing at her for leaving Liam alone to cope with Maggie. Worry ate at her and she chided herself for not staying, but offering Liam comfort was a slippery slope. Already her emotions were far too invested.
At seven she sent Kori a text about getting a ride to Wade Ranch in the morning to pick up her car. She probably should have gone tonight, but felt too lethargic and even had a hard time getting off the couch to answer the door for the pizza delivery guy.
It took her friend an hour to respond to the text. Hadley forgot she hadn’t told Kori yet about her broken engagement. Leave it to her to have the world’s shortest engagement. It hadn’t even lasted three days. With a resigned sigh, Hadley dialed Kori’s number.
“So, what’s going on that you left your car at Liam’s?”
Kori’s question unleashed the floodgates. Hadley began to sob. She rambled incoherently about Maggie being in the hospital and how she’d turned her back on Liam right when he needed her the most.
“I’m coming over.”
“No. It’s okay.” Hadley blew her nose and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“You are so not fine. Why didn’t you tell me about this last night?”
“Because I wasn’t ready to admit that I’d screwed up and fallen in love with the wrong man again. Honestly, why do I keep doing this to myself?”
“You didn’t know he was the wrong guy until too late.”
“It’s because I jump in too fast. I get all caught up in his life and fall in love with the idea of being a family.”
“I thought you said Liam hadn’t told you that he planned to fight for custody of Maggie.”
“Well...no.”
“Then technically, you weren’t planning on being a family with Liam and Maggie, but a couple with Liam.”
“And eventually a family.”
“Since eventually is in the future, I don’t think that counts.” Kori’s voice was gentle but firm. “You love Liam. You told me you had a crush on him when you were a teenager. Isn’t it possible that what you feel for him has nothing to do with seeing yourself as part of a family and everything to do with the fact that you’re in love with him?”
“Sure.” Did that make things better or worse? “But what about the fact that he asked me to marry him because he thought he would have a better chance to get custody if he was engaged?”
“I’m not really sure it’s that straightforward,” Kori said. “Liam Wade is a major catch. He’s probably got dozens of women on speed dial that he’s known a lot longer than you. Don’t you wonder why he didn’t ask one of them to marry him? I think he fell for you and is too afraid to admit it.”
As tempting as it was to believe her friend’s interpretation, Hadley knew it would just lead to more heartache. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life wondering what if.
Kori’s sigh filled Hadley’s ear. “I can tell from your silence that you don’t agree. I’m sorry all this happened. You are such a wonderful person. You deserve the best guy in the world.”