Free Daughters Of The Bride by Susan Mallery

death. Better to simply pretend to be fine and get through the day.
    She’d been shocked to find Greg waiting for her as she left the house. He’d told her they had to talk. Reluctantly, she’d gotten into his car, even though she had no idea what they were going to say. They’d done it . Now they had to deal with having done it . What was there to say?
    Apparently, a lot.
    “Are you okay?”
    Not the question she’d expected. She’d nodded.
    “I’m sorry,” he told her earnestly, his dark gaze locked on her face. “Not that we had sex, but because it happened so fast. It should have been after we’d been going out for like six months, and been a lot more romantic.” His concern turned sheepish. “I kept waiting for you to tell me no, and when you didn’t—” He shrugged. “I couldn’t believe you were going to let me do that.”
    “Why wouldn’t I? You’re you. Everybody loves you.”
    “Do you?”
    Love him? Did she? “I don’t really know you. I know of you, but that’s different.”
    “So you’re saying you used me for sex.”
    After that time in the park, she would have sworn she would never laugh again, never smile, never feel good about herself. But right then, she couldn’t stop her lips from curving up.
    “I wish I was brave enough to do that,” she admitted. “But I’m not.”
    “You’re the most confusing girl I’ve ever known. And the prettiest. Can I drive you to school?”
    She’d said yes and that had been the beginning of their relationship. They’d dated exclusively until she’d graduated from high school and then they’d gotten married.
    “What are you thinking?” he asked, drawing her back to the present. “And don’t say nothing. It’s obvious you didn’t find my glove descriptions riveting.”
    “Sorry. I was just going over what I have to get done this week.” A flat-out lie, but there was no way she was going to admit to reminiscing. While their marriage had been her whole world, Greg hadn’t felt the same way. He’d cheated on her.
    “Josh’s game’s Wednesday afternoon, right?” he asked. “I want to make sure I’m there.”
    “Yes. It’s at four.” She picked up her pizza slice and took another bite.
    “I know you’re one of the team moms. Anything I can do to help with that?”
    As a team mom, she was expected to collect money from the other parents to pay for drinks and snacks. She was also in charge of making sure the equipment was collected at the end of the game. If any was left behind, she brought it home with her until the next practice. There were usually two team moms. Heather was the other one, but she was turning out to be a flake.
    “I’m good,” she told him.
    “You sure? Josh mentioned that Heather hadn’t remembered to bring snacks last time. I could take care of that.”
    “I’m handling it. Besides, you have to miss some of his games for work.”
    “Yeah, but I could help when I’m not working. You wouldn’t have to do it all yourself.”
    “I don’t mind.”
    “At least that way you know it will be done right?” he asked. The tone was light, but there was something in his words.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You don’t trust easily.”
    She put down her pizza and glanced toward the living room. When she returned her attention to Greg, she made sure her voice was low.
    “If you’re asking if I trust you, I would say it depends. You’re a good father and I appreciate that. Josh needs his dad in his life. As for the rest of it, we’re divorced, Greg. What does it matter what I think of you?”
    He pushed his plate away. “You’re never going to get over what happened, are you? It doesn’t matter how many times I tell you I’m sorry. That I want to make things right. You don’t care. I screwed up and you can never forgive me.”
    Her stomach started to hurt. “You don’t care about my forgiveness. You just don’t like being the bad guy. It cuts into your self-image. Get over it. Like I said, you’re a