“She’s mediocre at best,” Elle snapped.

“Don’t be pathetic,” I replied, bored with this entire conversation.

“I hate you!” she called out heatedly.

I felt nothing in return, so I had no response.

Addy

He had watched me all night. It had made me feel excited and nervous at the same time. I liked knowing he was there, but I was also worried about forgetting what I was doing if I looked back at him.

I expected him to meet me the moment we closed, but he wasn’t there. I went to the back to get my purse, still thinking he’d show up, but he didn’t. Elle kept looking my way and smirking, as if there was something she knew that I didn’t. I ignored her and decided I would stop by his office to say good night. Maybe he was busy.

His office door was open, and I could see it was empty. I thought about texting him but changed my mind. I needed to get home to Franny. I would wait until he contacted me. Maybe he had been trying to tell me something, but I’d never looked his way to find out what it could be.

There were several scenarios running through my mind, but as I stepped outside, I realized it was none of them; his truck was still there in the parking lot, and so was he. In the darkness, I could see him deep in conversation with a tall blonde, her hair pulled back tightly in a ponytail, dressed in tight black leather. They couldn’t be any closer to each other without actually touching. I paused and took them in. Even in the shadows, I could see that Captain’s face was intent as he listened to her.

I’d never seen her before, but he seemed to know her. She was important to him. The way his body leaned into hers as he spoke meant something. There was an air of intimacy about them that made my stomach turn.

Captain looked passionate as he spoke, and he leaned in closer toward her. I couldn’t stay and watch this any longer. I didn’t know what it was, but I could tell just from this little glimpse that it was more than I could accept.

Hurrying to my car, I pulled out my keys and unlocked it. Getting home and holding Franny close would ease this ache. Knowing that she was always there helped me face everything. She came first. She was all that mattered in this world. I didn’t need him. She did. But I didn’t.

I could survive this. I was stronger than this.

It wasn’t until I pulled out onto the road that the tears stung my eyes, and I had to blink them back. Crying over this wasn’t something I would accept. Tomorrow, I was sure he’d have some excuse. I didn’t think I cared to hear it. Nothing could explain what I had seen.

I held my tears the entire trip home, and when I finally got there, I was so exhausted from the sheer force of will that I all but ran into the house.

Holding Franny all night was what I needed.

• • •

He texted three times and called five times within the hour. I ignored them all. Curled up with Franny in bed, I put my phone on silent and watched as it lit up each time. I wasn’t answering. If he was so worried about me getting home safely, he should have been there for me when I got off work. Not with the strange blonde. That spoke volumes. He hadn’t even noticed me leave. Every time I reminded myself of this, it gave me more strength to stand firm.

• • •

“Mommy, why is Dad outside, asleep in his truck?” Franny asked.

I opened my eyes and looked up to find her leaning over me. Trying to comprehend exactly what she had just said, however, took me a moment.

“He’s outside sleeping. In his truck,” she said, with a confused and anxious expression. “Do I go wake him up?”

Who was outside? “Huh?” I asked, as I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to focus on my daughter.

“Dad. In his truck.” She was starting to sound frustrated.

“Captain?” I repeated, feeling even more confused than she looked.

Franny let out a sigh. “I’m going to wake him up.” Then she turned and ran out of the room.

Captain was outside in his truck. Crap! I jumped up, grabbed a discarded pair of shorts, and tugged them on, along with the tank top I had slept in, before running after Franny. Why Captain would be asleep outside in his truck made no sense to me. I didn’t want Franny to be the one to wake him and confront him.

“Franny, wait!” I called out as I chased after her.

She had her hand on the door, about to go outside, when she stopped and looked back at me. “He’s asleep in his truck.” She sounded worried.

I nodded that I understood what she was telling me. “Let me see why he’s out there. You stay in here and make yourself some breakfast. I’m sure he’ll come in when he’s awake. Make him a waffle, too,” I suggested, hoping this would keep her in the house.

She looked torn as she glanced back at the window. “OK, but make sure he comes inside. I want to see him. He’s here to see me, I think.”

“I will. I promise,” I assured her.

I didn’t give her time to argue before I headed outside toward Captain’s truck. I knew Franny would be watching from the window, so yelling at him wasn’t an option.

The fact that he was here infuriated me. He was manipulating me. He knew I wouldn’t react badly in front of Franny. Besides, what was the point in sleeping out here all night? I hadn’t answered his calls; that should have been enough for him to get the point.

Watching him asleep, with his head tilted back against the seat, didn’t help my temper. He even looked good sleeping. That wasn’t fair. Damn him.