Page 104 of Love on the Line

Chapter 37

Anne poureda cup of tea and set it on the counter. Past dinner time, she should eat something, but food wouldn’t stay down in a stomach full of knots. The large diamond weighed heavily on her finger, but nowhere near as heavy as her heart.

She’d spent the afternoon in a fog, unable to focus on anything except the bitter bite of betrayal that ripped at the bond of trust she had with Wyatt. Her every instinct screamed that he would never cheat on her.

Emily’s ringtone sounded, and Anne answered the phone. She’d been responding to texts with only emojis. She didn’t want to worry her friend, but she also wasn’t up for much talking. It wouldn’t do any good. Not with Emily, anyway. Only Wyatt had the answers.

“I cancelled the party. Come over, or I’ll come there,” Emily said, concern in her voice.

“I feel so bad you did that, but thanks. I’m upset and really need to be alone,” Anne managed to say around the huge lump in her throat.

“I wish there was something I could do. Don’t get mad at me, but I called the Big Brothers Big Sisters office to ask if there’d been any changes in the program today. No luck. The place is closed because everyone’s at the Ocean City event.”

Anne frowned. She’d never even thought of calling them. God, is that what people did to check up on their spouses? “At least you did something productive. I googled Victoria and Wyatt’s online pictures. She’s like all the others, gorgeous and hanging all over him.”

“Girl, don’t torture yourself. There’s no point.”

Tears welled in the corners of Anne’s eyes. She blinked them back. “I thought we were past all this. I stopped worrying about the other women because I knew Wyatt loved me. Now I’m not sure of anything.”

Her phone beeped with another call, and her pulse jumped. Wyatt. Her ears craved to hear his voice, the deep timbre that melted her insides and made her long to sit on his lap. Hard as it was, she tapped “decline.” When they talked, it needed to be face to face so she could see his expressions.

“Anne, you there?” Emily asked.

“Sorry, Wyatt just called, but I can’t deal with him over the phone. I…I don’t know what to say.” Anne pressed a fist to her mouth and sucked in a breath. “Part of me wants to go to his place and see for myself, and another part says I shouldn’t be wearing his ring if I don’t trust him.”

“Totally understandable. What if I go—”

“No.” Anne brushed a strand of hair back and raised her chin. “I need to handle this on my own.”

“All right. Call me if you change your mind about coming over.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Anne hung up and crossed her arms, hugging herself. Emily was the best friend ever, but she couldn’t help with this situation. Anne tried to downplay emotions and focus on logic. Aside from his recent strange behavior, Wyatt hadn’t given her any reason to think he was cheating on her.

Anne’s phone dinged with a text from Wyatt.

All good here. Make sure to call me if any plans change tonight.

Her belly twisted into a tight coil. Again, another reminder about calling him. He’d never checked on her like this before. Something was definitely up, and the sick feeling wouldn’t go away until she confirmed or denied her worst fears.

She called Emily back. “Just wanted to let you know I’m heading to Wyatt’s. I’ll keep you posted.”

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