Page 53 of Too Close To Call

It hurts that only a few hours ago I felt closer to him than to any person on earth, yet here he is, drawing a chalk line through another day.

“Yeah, sure. I really like your family.”

“Great. Have you seen the weird horror kid on the beach again?” he asks.

“No, I haven’t seen her again. I think I must be seeing things. I saw Kimberly uptown when I went to the grocery store and I swear she had a chicken on a leash.”

Case laughs. “That’s Henrietta. Haven’t you met her?”

I turn to see if he’s kidding. He’s not. “No, I haven’t. Does she really have a pet chicken?”

“Henrietta is much more than a chicken. Maybe we can go out to the Inn tomorrow and you can meet her in person.”

“Yeah, maybe. I was supposed to go to the Book Chicks book club meeting, but I was in the hospital.”

“You may have dodged a bullet there. I hear they can get out of hand. All I know is the guys are always on call those nights.”

“Now I really hate I missed it. I guess it just wasn’t to be.” That could mirror several circumstances.

We did go to the family cookout. Everyone was sweet and kind, but the whole night had a cloud hanging over it. It was so heavy I couldn’t believe I was the only one that felt it.

At the end of the night, Hannah and Blake hugged me goodbye and said I had a standing invitation when I visited again.

Later, in bed, our love making was a powerful, sweet and slow, emotion-filled experience. Each touch screamed of our love. Each kiss felt like forever, but those were the only indicators of his feelings. I felt my heart breaking when he held me in his arms afterwards and fell asleep. No whispered words of love or promises of the future.

I couldn’t turn it off so easily. I spent most of the night thinking and debating myself over the best course of action and I came up with only one answer.

The next morning, Case had to go into work for a few hours. While he was gone, I packed my suitcase and was waiting on him when he pulled in the driveway near noon.

When he comes in the door, his eyes go to my suitcase and then to me. “What’s this?” he asks as he steps into the room and closes the door.

My hands shake as I reply, “I thought I’d leave today.”

His brows pull together in confusion. “Oh, really? Why?”

I stare directly into his eyes because this is the deciding moment, the point of no return. I will him to ask me to stay. To say he loves me. To say anything.

“Is there any reason I should stay?” I ask and then I wait, searching his face to find some sign that he wants me.

My heart breaks yet again when there’s no reaction from him. No look of regret in his eyes, no sadness at me going. Nothing. Like Carina said, this is my answer and it hurts. He slowly nods and glances down at my suitcase. “Oh, okay. Can I help you with your bag?”

Perfect. That’s just the boot I need out the door.

I shake my head and bend to pick my case up. I can’t be angry. Case is giving me all he can. I’ve lost his trust and I have no one to blame but myself. I pause long enough to reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thanks for letting me stay here and for helping me with my hand.”

He shrugs. “Sure. No problem”

“Goodbye, Case,” I say, and look up into his eyes. I wait for several heartbeats… but nothing changes.

Insecurities I felt over my mom make an attempt to flow back in. I love Case, but I’m not going to let him make me feel less than, or that I’m not good enough for him. I’m through with those caustic emotions. Daisy needs a strong role model, not a woman broken over a man who can’t love her enough to go for it. I nod. This is it.

Without another word, I walk out the door and out of Case’s life.

CHAPTER 17

CASE

Once the door closes, I don’t watch her get in the car. I don’t watch her drive away. I don’t run after her or try to stop her. I don’t say the words that I know would prevent her from leaving. Instead… I do nothing.

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