Hurt flashed on his face, but Miller schooled it quickly. “You’re really good at pointing out other people’s weak spots, but you refuse to handle your own.”
“I deal with mine every day. I just didn’t know you would become one of them today.”
Miller’s hands gripped my shoulders. “I’m crazy about you!”
“I don’t believe you!”
Hands dropped. Gaze hollowed. Hearts untethered. “Then what?” he asked. “What now?”
I waited for the lump in my throat to calm before I could speak. “Now we say goodbye.”
“That’s it?” Miller huffed bitterly. “One fight and you’re done?”
“I don’t know that I was ever in this in the first place.” I watched pain contract his features and instantly regretted my words. Because they weren’t true. I was head over heels in this relationship, but I couldn’t make myself tell him that. I was too busy bleeding all over my porch. “Miller, I do care about you. A lot. But I’ve endured two back-to-back broken engagements, and what’s left of my heart can’t handle much more. I’m tired of the fight.”
“Then let me fight for us both,” he said quietly.
I sadly shook my head as fresh tears rode the slopes of my cheeks. “I don’t have it in me anymore.”
“Don’t walk away from this, Hattie.”
“I have to,” I said. “For years I’ve put some man first.” I ran my hand across my nose, wishing for once I could cry pretty. “Now it’s time to think of myself.” The screen door squeaked as I flung it open. “Goodbye, Miller.”
“Hattie—”
“I’ll be out of the farmhouse by next week.”
Chapter Forty-Two
“Sexy Book Club shall now begin!” On Monday night Sylvie ting-tinged her fork to her crystal goblet, alerting the crowd it was now time to begin. “Welcome literary-loving friends.” Ever the star of her own show, Sylvie looked adoringly upon her audience, her glossy red lips plumped and perked into a youthful smile. “Tonight is a gathering for the record books as this is our inaugural meet in my dear Rosie’s bookshop.” She paused for the enthusiastic applause and hugged her dear Rosie. “My granddaughter also happens to be ready to announce the name of her bookshop—as a finale to our meeting. Won’t that be fun?”
Having slipped in late, I clutched my worn paperback and stood at the back. Much like a heart attack or stroke, a heartbreak left you unable to do things you previously could. I no longer had any stomach for socializing, and all I wanted to do was go home, finish packing, and continue crying to the accompaniment of my old Sam Cooke albums. I hadn’t hit the Taylor Swift stage yet, but it was probably only a matter of hours. I’d need to stock up on more tissues and Oreos when I did level up.
“Hey, you.” Olivia squeezed in beside me wearing heels and a blouse probably made by a designer I’d never heard of. She looked as glamorous as I did wrung out. Her concerned eyes did a quick study of my face. “What’s going on?”
I really, really did not want to cry. “Oh, you know.” I took a shuddering breath. “Book club, work drama, a breakup with Miller. The usual.”
“A breakup?”
I sniffed and nodded. “Come on, Olivia. Are we surprised? No.”
“Oh, Hattie.” She crushed me to her in a hug. “Yes, actually I am. When did this happen?”
“After Ava’s party.”
“And you’re justnowtelling us? How could you keep this from your sisters?”
“I don’t know.” I pulled a Kleenex from the wad stashed in my cardigan pocket. “Mostly because I can’t talk about it without crying.”
“All right, kiddies,” Sylvie called. “Fill up those plates, then let’s all take a seat and dive in.” She held up her iPad. “Love at First Howl: The Nerdy Witch Loves a Werewolfwas a hot one. And by hot, I mean lots and lots of fur.” Were her brow able, it would have furrowed. “Hooking up with a werewolf has to be very toasty. And don’t even get me started on the chafing dangers.”
“Amen to that.” Frannie flopped a dismissive hand. “That protagonist will surely rethink some life choices when menopause hits. No, thank you.”
“Let’s get you a plate of ridiculously themed snacks,” Olivia said to me, taking charge. “Do you want wolves-in-a-blanket? Some chocolate-dipped fangs? Maybe some witch’s brew from the cauldron I know for a fact Frannie spiked?”
I shook my head, wanting none of it. “I’m not hungry.”
Her doe eyes widened. “Now I know it’s bad.” Taking my hand, Olivia led me to an empty seat beside Rosie. “She and Miller broke up,” she told our sister.
