Free Memory of You (A Misty Cove Love Story) by Dori Lavelle Page B

“I know women like you. You think you can have what you want, when you want it.”
    “What makes you think that?” I tipped my head to the side. “I never told you I want Bryce. In fact, you and I have never even exchanged a word before today. What makes you think you know me so well?”
    “Bryce told me. He told me that you tried to talk him out of marrying me.” The warmth in her smile left, and it looked more like a sneer now. “Well, he came home all ruffled last night. You probably know that Bryce is not good at lying. When I asked him what was bothering him, he told me that he saw you on the beach. He tells me everything, you know.”
    I drew in a slow, steady breath. “If he tells you everything, why are you talking to me?”
    She sighed. “I was hoping this conversation will be easy and we will both be adults about it. I guess not.” The smile fell off her face, leaving only coldness there. “Well, I came here to tell you to back off my man. You were the one who left him. He has moved on with his life. He loves me. You telling him that he could be making a mistake won’t change anything. We are getting married in three days and nothing you do or say will change that. We’re both very excited.” Her ruby lips spread into a thin smile. “Did he happen to tell you the good news? Probably not. Well, two days ago I made him the happiest man when I told him he’s going to be a father.” She paused to allow me to digest the news she had shared with me. “I’m pregnant. I had thought of giving him the news on our wedding day… a wedding present, you know. But I couldn’t hold back.”
    My heart crashed against my chest and exploded, and a heavy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. A moment passed where my breathing seemed to be suspended. “Well… congratulations.” I forced myself to my feet, my legs unsteady. “I hope you will have a happy life together.”
    Whatever else I had thought of saying to her had been shattered by that single piece of information, a huge piece of information. That changed everything. Bryce was going to be a father, and that baby was being carried by another woman.
    “Have a happy life as well. Stay away from my man.” Her words followed me out the door.
    The air was balmy and welcoming. It felt like a big, warm hug that offered me comfort but also made me want to weep. I didn’t. Not yet. Not until I reached the beach.
    I had planned to go straight home, but there was no way I could ride my bike in this condition. Nothing could have prepared me for what Lori had told me.
    I was just coming to terms with Bryce getting married. To find out he was also getting a baby made me want to throw up. I knew it would come someday. They would definitely want to start a family. I thought I would have time to prepare myself for it.
    I crashed on the sand, hugged my knees, and rocked back and forth. A wave of nausea washed over me, but I shoved away the urge. 
    I had come to the beach with the strong need to cry, but despite the pain in the back of my throat, I left dried-eyed and numb. Not for the first time, the feeling of abandonment that had been born by my mother’s rejection poured into my heart, leaving me empty and disoriented.
    Back at the cottage, I took a shower and climbed under the covers. It was still too early for bed, so I watched a movie to distract myself. But Lori’s revelation wouldn’t stop tormenting me. It cut me to the quick, but it was also the closure I had needed. The push to move on. I just had to get through their wedding day, the final nail on the coffin. Knowing Bryce had someone else’s ring on his finger would be the ultimate end of us.
     

Chapter Eighteen
     
    I woke up early today, hoping not to bump into too many people who were excited about the wedding. Fat chance.
    When you got married in Misty Cove, you hardly sent out invitations. Everybody invited themselves. All you did was put up a white flag on your house to signify an upcoming