Page 47 of Mending Scars

“I’m sorry. Truly, I am. You and Ryker seem like great people.” Her tone was genuine and sympathetic—she’d probably hug me if we were talking in person.

I took a deep breath to keep my tears at bay, not wanting to cry until I got off the phone. “Thank you. I really appreciate your time.”

“No problem. Would you like me to look for other properties within your price range for you to consider?”

No, I want that house.

“Yes, please. That would be great.” I sniffled.

“Great. I’ll compile a list and email you next week.”

“Thank you.”

The tears started flowing as soon as I hung up.

I should have known things were too good to be true.

After several minutes of sobbing, I grabbed a few tissues from the box on my desk and wiped my wet cheeks and snotty nose. I needed to calm down so I didn’t stress myself out more.

It’s just a house. Your dream house, but still only a house. You’ll find another one. Hopefully.

I was depressed for the remainder of the day, wearing a frown and slumping in my seat as a worked. I stayed in my office to eat my lunch, wanting to be alone. I’d done that a lot in the past before Ryker and I had met, but I’d been trying to be more social the past few months, so I ate in the break room.

A couple of my coworkers popped in from time to time to get documents signed or drop off reports, and I had to force a smile so they wouldn’t pry. I couldn’t wait to get off and go home, although I dreaded having to tell Ryker the news—I didn’t want to relive the disappointment over again.

My stomach was jumbled with thick knots when I walked in the door to our apartment. Ryker was sitting on the couch on his laptop, but closed it when he saw me. “Hey, baby. How was your day?”

My voice trembled. “Not good.”

Ryker set the laptop on the coffee table and stood up. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at work?”

I shook my head as he approached, fighting tears. “No. Tanya called—the seller declined our offer.”

Our eyes met. “I’m sorry, Warrior.” Ryker’s forehead creased, and his brows furrowed as he rubbed my arms.

I sadly smiled at him. “It’s not your fault.”

He wrapped me in his warm embrace. I buried my face in chest, unable to hold back the tears as I sobbed.

Damn pregnancy hormones.

After a few seconds, I pulled away and wiped my eyes. “I’m sorry. I think the baby is making me overemotional.”

Ryker rubbed my back. “Don’t be sorry. I know you loved that house.”

“I did,” I sniffled. “But there’s no reason to be crying over it. There are other houses out there.”

“That’s true.” His mouth curved up to one side. “We’ll find one that’s right for us.”

My heart still weighed down my stomach.

But I want that one.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I forced a smile before laying my head against his chest and hugging him tightly. “We will.”

Ethan and I had been meeting weekly for lunch since the first time we’d met at the deli, and our relationship was slowly building back to how it used to be before our parents died—joking around, hanging out; normal shit brothers do.

After a month or so, I’d finally decided that it was time to take the next step and meet Tristan. I still wasn’t comfortable seeing Molly, and I wasn’t sure that I ever would be. She’d caused the rift between my brother and me, and we’d lost many years because of it. If I never saw her again it would be too soon.

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