For Their Child's Sake

Kate rested her forearms on the bar. “I know I’m a hormonal pregnant woman, but I’m a pretty good listener. You caught me on a good day. I haven’t cried once.”

Sam laughed. “That’s great to hear.”

She tipped her head to the side. “Seriously. I can listen if you need.”

Maybe she could, but she was also one of Tara’s best friends and the conflict of interest meant it probably wouldn’t be too smart for him to just open up.

“I actually didn’t come here for a therapy session.” Sam took a seat on a high stool. “I just wanted to give Tara some space with her friends. Things are pretty intense between us.”

Kate nodded. “I can imagine. Well, actually, I can’t, but I know this is difficult for all of you. It’s obvious you guys still care for each other or you wouldn’t be going through all of this.”

Sam swallowed the first words he wanted to say. Tara didn’t care for him, not like she once had. He couldn’t fault her, considering he’d started them on the spiral into the depths of hell, but that didn’t make the pain of rejection any less. The ache he’d found to be his new normal was always present, even more so now that he was living in his old house.

Memories threatened to take over. No matter which room he was in, Sam saw their past. The fact Tara had removed so many portraits proved how much she needed him out of her life. The visual smack to the face had been difficult to process, but he should’ve been prepared.

“We’re living together for Marley,” he stated, as if things were truly that simple. “Nothing more.”

Kate pursed her lips, then blew out a sigh. She kept her gaze on his but didn’t say anything as she tipped her head.

“Just say what’s on your mind.” Sam had known Kate long enough to know she had something to say. “I can handle it.”

She turned and reached for two glasses. She filled one with water and the other with root beer. When she passed him the frothy mug of soda, he smiled.

“Thanks. Now tell me what you’re dying to say.”

Kate’s fingers curled around her glass. “I always think events in life happen for a reason. I believe something good can come out of something tragic. And I believe that you and Tara are being given a second chance.”

A second chance. Wouldn’t that be nice? But he wasn’t naive enough to think playing house would transform into a fresh start. He was still healing himself and regaining his ground, focusing on one day at a time.

Tara was smart not to want to take another chance with him, though he still loved her, probably more than he’d ever love anyone ever again. There would be no one else for him. Tara owned his entire heart—there was nothing else to give.

“You’re a romantic now that you and Gray are engaged and expecting a baby.”

Kate’s smile widened. “I just want everyone to be happy.”

He’d been happy once and he planned on getting there again, but the journey would be long.

Sam took a hearty drink of his root beer and sat his glass on the bar. “I don’t want to keep you.”

“You’re not keeping me,” she replied. “I was working on invoices and payroll until he got back and I could leave. Quite the glamorous life.”

The words may have been sarcastic, yet there was nothing but love. Kate had dropped everything for Gray. He hadn’t asked her to, but they’d fallen in love, and from what Sam had seen, each of them would’ve happily tossed their old life aside for the other. But Gray’s business was in the third generation and Kate didn’t want him to sell. They’d been there for each other, overcoming obstacles and finding everything they never knew they wanted.

Sam couldn’t help but feel a tug of jealousy. He’d had everything not that long ago. Absolutely everything he’d ever wanted...and now he was starting over.

He wasn’t into mythology, but the phoenix had nothing on him. Sam had vowed a year ago to rise up from the hell he’d put himself in and nothing was stopping him. Not his broken heart, not his yearning to have his family back, nothing. He had to live for himself before he could fully live for anyone else.