Page 99 of One More Chance

She passes me the rabbit. Shaky fingers accept it, and my heart breaks all over again.

“I got that one for you.” She removes another one from the bag. “I had an idea while I was in the store. You’re doing the wedding-themed subscription boxes. I thought you might consider doing a subscription box for mothers-to-be. It still relates to your theme of love. Who doesn’t love babies?”

And just like that, the ground gives way under my feet. I’m underwater, struggling to breathe, her words both clear and garbled to my ears.

I stare at the bunny, trembling fingers stroking its soft fur.

Don’t let her see me fall apart. Not this way.

“Simone? Are you okay?”

I glance up. Emily’s blurry features come into focus. “I’m fine. Good idea, but I’ll have to think about it.” I command my hand to pass the rabbit to her, but my body and mouth disobey. “Can I hold on to the bunny a little longer?”

“Of course.” Her phone pings from inside her purse. She pulls it out and checks the screen. “Kim texted to see if we want to join her for coffee at Treats.”

I pull the mask of a smile back on my face. “I’ll pass, thanks. I want to finish cleaning before Lucas returns.”

“You sure?”

I nod. “Say hi to the girls for me.”

“Will do.” Her gaze wanders over my face again. “Are you sure you’re okay? Your eyes are watery.”

“Must be allergies.” Clutching the floppy bunny, I walk Emily to the front door. My legs threaten to buckle with each step. A vise clamps around my heart.

The door clicks shut behind her, and my legs succumb to gravity. I slump against the hallway wall and slide to the floor. My ass hits the hardwood. The held back tears release in a sob.

I cradle the bunny to my chest and let the sobbing take over, drowning out my thoughts. The tap of emotions is broken, and nothing can fix it. I don’t even have energy to return to the kitchen to call Avery.

She was right. I should have stayed with her in Portland. I thought I could handle the soul-tearing grief, but I was wrong.

I’ve never…never felt so alone in my life.

I pull my knees to my chest and rest my forehead on my bent arm. The other arm clutches the bunny to my body. The vise keeps on tightening, squeezing my ribs. I can barely breathe.

Jasper’s footfalls approach. His soft wet tongue licks my hand. I don’t look up. He whimpers and licks my hand again. Then he sits next to me, body pressed to mine, and he waits. For what, I don’t know.

I have no clue how long I’ve been crying when the click of the front door registers somewhere in the back of my mind. It’s followed by the slight squeak of the hinges. It needs oiling. I should oil that before Lucas returns.

“Simone?” Kellan’s quiet, self-assured voice breaks through the numbness I’ve wrapped myself in. “What’s wrong?” He crouches in front of me.

I lift my head. Kellan’s handsome features distort into those of a man squeamish at being around crying women. Any other time, I would burst out laughing at his expression.

“Have you heard from Lucas?” he asks.

I shake my head, unable to find my voice. Tears continue to dampen my cheeks, soak into my tank top.

“Is that why you’re crying?” He pets Jasper.

I shake my head again.

“Is there something I can do?”

I inspect the bunny, running my fingertips over its loosely stuffed torso. My throat is bone dry, and my voice comes out sandpaper rough when I whisper, “I can’t have children. I’m broken.”

“Broken? I have no idea what that means?”

“It means I can’t get pregnant. Ever. It’s not physically possible.” I sniff and wipe the back of my hand across my snotty nose and wet cheeks.

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