Page 107 of Born to Make You Smile

I didn’t know what to say.

“Look,” he said, breaking the silence. “I think we need to take some time. Time apart from this relationship.”

His words stabbed me like a sword to the chest.

“You're breaking up with me?” My voice trembled. “On Valentine’s Day?”

“I love you, but I don't see how we can work right now. At this point in my life, I need someone I can rely on. A partner I can fully trust, to be a good example for my children. Someone who’s honest, who doesn’t hide their problems away, especially from those who love them.” He shook his head, then looked at me with pain in his eyes. “I would doanythingfor you Grace. But not if you constantly push my help away. I want you to live here, in my home. To build a life with you. But you’re absolutely not ready for that.”

“Maybe I’m not,” I admitted quietly.

“You can’t continue like this. Living in the shadow of your mum and letting your past affect your future. You know you can't.”

“So now what?” I asked, my shoulders up. “Do you want me to quit too? Find work elsewhere?”

He sighed, rubbing his jaw. “I'll leave that decision up to you. But it might be best to take a leave of absence. I can hire someone else temporarily.”

“Oh. Okay.” My vision blurred as tears pooled. What was I going to do without a steady paycheck coming in? “Wow.”

He lowered his brows. “I'm sorry, Grace.”

After entering my house, I fell to my knees in the middle of the foyer with my head in my hands. The echo of my sobs rebounded against the walls.

I knew I’d completely messed up, but how could he give up on me like that. Give up on us.

I guess we just weren’t meant to be in the end.

My mother was right all along:True love is a lie.

THIRTY-TWO

“Can I get youa tea? I have your favorite flavor,Life’s a Peach.”

Dorina’s question made me think of Gavin.

My chest tightened.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

“No, thanks.” I curled up tight into Dorina’s bed, hugging her pillow. It smelled of her lovely high-end shampoo.

I could sense her slipping in bed next to me. She put a hand on my back, rubbing me in soothing circles.

I’d spent way too much time crying on and off, moping in bed. I’d somewhat composed myself, but was still feeling completely weak and low. Ashamed of my behavior and actions. I wanted to fix everything so badly. But I was lost, unsure of where to go from here.

“How was work?” I turned to face her.

“Crazy.”

Dorina proceeded to tell me all about a lady that came into the salon wanting to get her dog’s hair cut. A Shih Tzu.

“I was like, ma’am, we’re not a dog groomer. And then, she screamed.”

“She screamed?” I repeated with wide eyes.

“Yeah. I thought the café next door was going to call the cops because she was so loud. Then she was all...Charlie isn’t a dog. He’s my baby!”

“Oh my God.” I shook my head.

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