One to Save (One to Hold 6)

His expression drops, and he orders red velvet. I wait until she’s finished with him and helped the nanny and kids behind him, and once they’re done, we’re momentarily alone.

“Good?” The petite, round baker hustles over to me. Her apron is stained with pink frosting, and I can’t resist teasing her.

“They think I’m so lucky, but they don’t know I’m your test subject.”

Leaning back, she crosses plump arms over her ample bosom. “As if I’d ever give you anything bad.”

I lunge forward to hug her. “You give me sinfully delicious treats.”

“Speaking of sinfully delicious, how’s Derek?” A nudge and a grin, and I glance down.

“He’s, umm... doing great.”

Her face turns serious, and she goes to the door. In a flash, she turns the “Back in ten minutes” sign around, flips the lock, and pulls down the shades.

“What happened?”

Damn. I’m stunned by both her quick response and her question. “We sort of had a... well...” Tears flood my eyes. I can’t believe I’m still crying like this. Grasping for control, I clear my throat. “We broke up.”

Concern lines her face, and she leads me to one of the small tables. “I can’t believe it,” handing me a napkin, “I saw you together. How is this possible? What did he say?”

Dotting my eyes, I look down at the paper cloth trying not to cry more. “It was me, actually. I broke it off.”

“What!?” Her voice is too high, and she collapses into the chair across from me. “Melissa, honey, you have got to explain this to me.”

My gaze stays fixed on my hands. “We wanted different things.” No, that’s not right. I shake my head and try again. “We have different ideas about what a relationship means. To me it’s a partnership, sharing, including each other. No secrets. To him it’s... not.”

“Can’t you find a compromise?” Her voice is urgent but gentle. “You’ve been married before. You know men... well... I mean—”

“That’s just it!” My eyes flash to hers. “I have been married before. It’s the whole reason I had to end it.”

Her grey eyebrows pull together. “You broke it off because of Sloan?”

“Because of what happened with Sloan. All the lies, the secrets. The double life. I married a man I thought I knew, and then it turned out... I didn’t know him at all.” I pause for breath then quietly add. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

Bea studies the table in front of me a few moments before taking my hand. “Then why do you still wear this?” The dark blue sapphire ring is on the third finger of my left hand.

My lips tremble as tears threaten, and I move it under my thigh. “I don’t know.”

It’s a lie. I haven’t been able to take it off because no matter how my insides twist and fight, it’s the last piece of evidence holding me together. I’m afraid if it’s removed, all my insides will bleed out.

We don’t speak, but I can feel her studying me. I can feel myself unraveling in front of her, and I wish she’d say something.

“Sloan Reynolds was a sneaky young man.” She leans back in her chair, and her tone grows thoughtful. “Very slick and always smiling, but always being naughty when no one was looking. I don’t know where he got it. His father was a good man. His mother was a bit... materialistic, but she wasn’t cruel or vindictive. Still, for whatever reason, their son was attracted to the darkness more than the light.”

Slowly, my eyes move up to hers. I need to hear this. “You know, I caught him stealing from my register when he was about fifteen.” She nods, hands across her midsection. “Why the son of the town’s richest family would need to steal, I don’t know. He saw me catch him, too, and I’ll never forget his wicked grin. Slipped that money in his pocket and walked right out the door as if daring me to call him on it.”

“Did you?” I whisper.

“Of course I did! I called Jackson right away and told him his boy had taken forty dollars right out of my cash register.”

“What happened?”

Exhaling, she shakes her head. “His father thought it was funny, a boyish prank. He apologized for Sloan and said he’d send the money right around, and sure enough, his driver came by before the end of the day with the money and a little gift.”

“What are you saying?” I wait for her next words as if they’re the key to some incredible mystery.

“The average male is not born ready to share every thought in his head.” She smiles at me now. “Half of them aren’t even sure what to make of the thoughts in their heads beyond food and sex.”