Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

coffee with some Barbie doll, but it was hard. As much as I hated to admit it, maybe Julie was right, maybe I was just comfortable with him. After all, I had only been in one serious relationship since our divorce, and that didn’t fare too well either.

I zipped up my bag and took a step back, mentally going through everything that was inside and making sure I didn’t forget anything. Once I was satisfied that it was good to go, I lowered it from the cedar chest to the floor. This was a first for me. Normally when I traveled I was rushing around at the last minute, throwing forgotten items in suitcases. Of course, I was comparing that to back in the day when I was responsible for packing Kara’s and most of Jack’s things as well.

I headed down the stairs, missing my loyal companion who was normally right behind me. I had dropped Max off at my dad’s when I had gotten home from work. He was going to be taking care of him while I was gone. It was hard to believe I had complained about him when Kara first brought him home. Now there I was truly missing him.

I made it into the kitchen just in time to hear my phone ringing from the counter. Jack. Why did I have to come down the stairs at that precise moment? If I hadn’t, at least I could’ve said I truly missed his call instead of ignoring him like an immature teenager. As the phone continued to ring, I had two options—ignore it and be that scorned woman I once was, or answer and be the strong woman I professed I had become. I slid my finger over the screen and answered with a confidence I didn’t even know I had.

Jack’s voice came from the other end of the phone after my self-assured hello. “I just wanted to check in with you and tell you to have a safe trip. Sorry I’ve been off the radar. Work has been—”

“No need to explain. Kara told me how busy you’ve been. Thanks for taking the time to call and wish me well, though. I really do appreciate it.” My tone was matter-of-fact and Jack picked up on it right away.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes. Everything is fine,” I replied. “What about with you?” I added just for good measure.

“Yeah. Just tied up with some things.”

I bet you are, was how I wanted to respond. “Well, I won’t keep you. Try not to work too hard.”

“Steph?”

“What?” My tone was a little more defensive than intended.

“Something is wrong. What is it? Are you having second thoughts about going out there and doing this, because if you are, don’t go. You don’t owe anyone anything.”

“You’re right, I don’t owe anyone anything, and that’s not what I’m having second thoughts about.”

He expelled a deep sigh into the phone. “Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch for the past few days. I really am. It’s just—”

“Jack. Stop. You don’t owe me an explanation for anything. We’re not married anymore, and whatever it is we’ve been doing, it needs to stop. It was stupid and irresponsible on both our parts.”

“What?” I sensed shock and dismay in his voice. “Where is all this coming from? I thought we were in a good place finally.”

“We were in a comfortable place, not necessarily a good one.”

“Aw, man,” he groaned. “Don’t do this again.”

Was he for real in actually telling me not to do this again? “I’m not the one doing it again, Jack.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I have to go. Thanks for calling and—”

“Can I just say one thing before you hang up?” he interrupted.

“What?” I whispered, my emotions bubbling over inside of me, hoping I could keep them intact for the rest of the call.

“I love you, Stephanie. I never stopped loving you and these past few months—”

I pulled the phone away, partly because my heart couldn’t take any more of what he had to say, the other part so he wouldn’t hear the sob that had just escaped me. How could he be in love with me while he was out and about with other women? I refused to challenge him and bring that into play. That was an ugly, hurtful road I’d already been down years ago, and I didn’t intend to travel it again.

I swallowed the baseball-sized lump in my throat and put the phone back to my ear. “Jack, I think you’re confusing the two. You’re in love with what we once had, not me. Now, I really have to get going. Stay safe.” I ended the call before he could get anything else in that may break my heart a little more or tempt me into spewing off accusations I’d regret. I was proud of myself for handling it like the strong woman life had molded me into. As I replayed the call in my mind, trying to be pleased with my mature behavior, I knew I was only fooling myself. Inside the grown-up Stephanie was still a teenage girl who had just said goodbye to her one and only love.

Chapter 34

“WHAT A DAY!” I said to Francesca as we finally settled in front of the television after a day of shopping, sightseeing, and some wine tasting. We ended the day having dinner at Jennifer’s where I got to meet her partner, Dana, and their son, Kevin. Everything about where Francesca lived was beyond gorgeous, making me wonder why I had never visited California before. Francesca’s meticulously maintained ranch-style home was located about thirty miles north of San Francisco and about sixty miles south of wine country. We managed to have covered it all in just one day.

“It really was so much fun!” Francesca remarked. “I think being that it was your first time here made it even more exciting for me.” In the midst of all the excitement of the day, I had forgotten what tomorrow would bring. Now that