Page 1 of Loving Lizzy

PROLOGUE

Michael Harris picked up his beer and headed toward Chase, the groom, his best friend, and the team. As he approached, Chase smiled and held out his hand. “We need to get together when I come home from my honeymoon. I owe you for watching over Kassie. If I can ever return the favor, my friend.” He held Michael’s gaze, conveying his gratitude.

“You’d do the same for me. Enjoy your time alone. Both of you deserve it.” he replied.

“Thank you for picking up, Lizzy. She said you needed to head back to Seattle. I hope everything’s okay.” The groom cocked his head, confused.

Michael scanned the crowd for his ex-wife, wondering why she had lied. She picked at her dinner and now desired to leave before the dancing even started.

“Oh, yeah. It’s fine. I have a couple of patients to visit at the hospital later,” he fibbed. Another thing he wanted to discuss with her. She didn’t want their friends to know of their former marriage. Chase had supported him while Michael searched for her, and he felt like a heel for not telling him. Leo and the team used him as backup, yet he didn’t feel like part of the group of men. Apart from his best friend, he seemed like an outsider.

The party moved to the dance floor and his gaze landed on his ex-wife. Her head tilted back in laughter at something the small cluster of women discussed. Lizzy surveyed the area until she saw him and immediately averted her eyes. He excused himself as Shadow caught Chase’s attention and slowly worked through the crowd to stand beside the woman he loved. Gently taking her elbow, he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“I understand you’re ready to leave.” He watched as her expression changed from happy to grim. She made her goodbyes and slightly nodded to him, indicating her choice to vacate the joyous occasion.

He walked next to Lizzy, without attempting to take her by the hand, to the vehicle. Opening the car door for her, he waited while she got situated before shutting it and walking to the other side. The tension crackled in the air between them as he drove to Seattle to her condo.

“The wedding turned out great. Chase and Kassie practically radiated with joy. The team and their family did a wonderful job to make it special,” Michael attempted to break the ice.

“Yeah,” she replied.

“Why did you want to go? I hoped to get a dance,” he asked.

“If you wanted to stay, I could’ve found a ride.” Lizzy continued to gaze out the window.

Frowning, he replied, “I don’t mind taking you home. I’m surprised you lied to our friends about why you wished to leave. While we’re on the topic, I’m not thrilled at keeping our relationship a secret.”

“I don’t want to answer questions about our past. I believe I have a right to my privacy,” her voice held a bit of a bite.

Michael gritted his teeth as his patience started to grow thin. “The last few months have been crazy, and Chase is my best friend. I thought you liked the women.”

“I do,” she told him.

“Then why the secrets? I don’t want to forget Conner. I know Chase and Kassie can relate. They lost a child,” he reminded her softly.

“It’s different,” Lizzy replied curtly. He noticed his line of questioning bothered her as she gripped her purse and she turned her gaze forward, showing her pursed lips.

“How?” he asked. Her behavior and responses to his questions raised red flags. His normally put-together ex-wife seemed erratic in her actions and thoughts, and he struggled to find the reason.

Lizzy’s hand went to her forehead as if she suddenly suffered from a headache. “I don’t want to discuss this right now.”

Michael’s jaw ticked as he pulled into the parking lot of her condo complex. He turned the car off and started to unbuckle his seatbelt.

“You don’t need to escort me up. I’ll be fine.” Her words fell on deaf ears as he opened his door and proceeded to help her out.

She frowned as she accepted his hand. He shut her door and Lizzy let go of his hand to walk briskly up the sidewalk. He followed a few steps behind her.

Michael waited as she used her key to unlock the door. She turned to close it, not allowing him in, when his arm shot out to hold it open.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on? This entire week, you’ve avoided me or acted distant. Talk to me.” he pleaded.

She slowly took a breath as he strode through the doorway and dumped his keys into his pocket. Scanning the room, he took in the blanket lying askew on the couch, a pillow fell onto the floor, and an empty bottle of lemon-lime soda sitting on the counter. Her bag was carelessly tossed across the kitchen table instead of its designated spot by the front door. The coffee table held a bunch of letters spread out and wadded-up tissues. He ambled farther into the room and discovered the sink full of dirty dishes.

Michael’s gaze focused on his ex-wife as she rushed to grab the paperwork from the table. In her haste, a few sheets of paper floated to the floor. He walked toward her and bent to pick them up.

Seattle Health Women’s Center letterhead caught his attention before Lizzy snatched the papers from his hands. Her eyes darted around the room, and she licked her lips nervously.

“Michael, I don’t think this is working. You should go. I didn’t know how to tell you?—”

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