Liar! she thought the moment he walked out the door. What a liar I am! She drew up her knees and hugged herself, somehow needing the comfort of the human touch, even if it was only her own. She could hear the creaking of the staircase as he went downstairs, and found herself feeling more alone with each step he took.
Liar.
A life with Mick was all she had thought about from the moment their bodies had first joined. Every moment spent with him, she was wondering in the back of her mind how she could possibly stand the emptiness when he left her.
Was this love? Lacey knew she loved him as a friend, but was it the type of love that two people built a life—a world—around?
Was it that elusive love that seemed to reach beyond definition? The kind that made two people grow old together, watching sunsets and holdings hands, blind to the gray hairs and wrinkles, like Maeve had always described her grandparents?
Lacey let out a little snort. What did it matter? He was leaving anyway.
She was lying to herself and to him every time she promised that she’d be fine after he left. She’d be a basket case. Lacey slapped her thigh. This was exactly why she had told herself not to get into a relationship while she was building a career this time. Because everything would fall apart when Mick left.
And he would leave, she thought remorsefully, even angrily, as she looked over at the medals he always left scattered on his dresser. It was the Navy first with Mick.
Fine. Two could play at that game. If she was going to fall apart when he left, then she better build a hell of a strong career before then so that it could survive the blow of his departure.
Maybe it was time for her to overcompensate a bit—work even harder at her job just to prepare for future pitfalls. She knew just how to get started, remembering the funeral tomorrow morning that Bess had read about in the obituaries.
She grabbed her clothes and started getting dressed just as Mick walked into the room.
“I thought you were staying the night.”
“I can’t, Mick. I remembered something I have to do for work tomorrow morning. I’m sorry, but it’s really important.”
“Is it something I can help with?”
“No. But thanks.” She kissed him, savoring the feel of his lips against hers.
Yes, she might not survive when he left her. But, by God, her career would.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Alone in the kitchen, Bess clicked the button on Maeve’s phone and looked at the caller ID.
Unknown name. Unknown number.
Not that unusual, she consoled herself. But something about the voice had sent a chill down her spine. It wasn’t Dan on the other end. It didn’t sound like him. Besides, Dan wouldn’t be asking for Lacey.
She gave herself a little shake and dipped her spoon again into the brown sugar bag. She swore that she could feel the enamel on her teeth rotting away, but she didn’t care. When she saw the fresh bag in the cabinet, it was calling her.
Giving in completely, she moved her sugar feast to the kitchen table wishing she had thought to get a glass of milk before she sat down. Getting out of a chair was getting harder these days.
Lacey walked into the kitchen, face curled up in revulsion. “I’ve never seen anyone eat raw brown sugar before.”
“Cut me some slack. I’m pregnant.”
“I’ll bet you used to do that before you were pregnant.”
Bess grinned. “You’re right. Hey, someone just called for you. I offered to take a message, but he said he’d call you on your cell.”
“Huh.” Lacey pulled out her phone and checked for messages. “Didn’t get any calls. What’s the caller ID say?”
“Unknown name. Unknown number.”
Lacey shrugged. “Oh well. He’ll probably call later. You’re home early today.”
“My afternoon house cancelled because one of the kids is sick. They didn’t want me to catch something. Would you mind getting me some milk?”
Lacey pulled a glass from the cabinet. “That was nice of them to tell you.”
Bess nodded, patting her belly. “Yeah. Gotta stay as healthy as I can.”
“Eating nutritious things like raw brown sugar,” Lacey finished for her.
“Hey, no additives. A pure snack.”
Lacey sat down and kicked off her heels. “Explain that to your dentist.”
“How about you? Why are you home early?”
“I was at a funeral. Didn’t make sense to bother going into the office after.”
“That’s your second one this week,” Bess noted.
“A lot of rich people seem to die in the winter.” Lacey sighed. “But it looks like I got a waterfront listing out of a funeral I went to last month.”