Walking away in the courtroom that morning had been self-preservation. She’d discovered a vital piece of herself while facing off against Drew in the courtroom after the verdict. She supposed she should thank him.
Thanks to Drew, she’d realized how very tired, how exhausted she was from constantly defending herself. From continuously fighting to prove her worth and her value. To her ex and peers. And now to Drew.
She’d made the right decision at Drew’s hearing. She refused to apologize. Or explain herself. It wasn’t her responsibility to change his mind about her. Besides, changing his mind was only one piece. Changing his heart—well, he had to do that on his own too.
She tipped her chin up and gathered her broken heart. She’d deal with those jagged, uneven pieces later. When she was alone in the safety of her own home.
“Drew.” She stopped far from hand-holding reach or accidental brushes of shoulders. “I thought you’d be out celebrating.”
“I had other things to take care of.” He ran a hand through his hair. Uncertainty shifted through his gaze.
Things like apology gifts? He’d given Molly those before. Hope flickered. The tiniest spark. “I’m sure you had a productive day.”
“Quite. I’ll be in my new office at Capstone Keyes tomorrow. They made an offer and I accepted.” His voice was resigned, not excited.
That hope flared out. The spark faded. “That’s fast. Everything is falling into place for you.” Without me.
And those pieces of her heart shattered even more. The edges became even sharper.
“The partners at Capstone Keyes wanted me in my chair as soon as possible. They need me on several key cases.” He shook his head, a tiny twitch as if he couldn’t quite believe their invitation.
But Drew’s skill and talent as a prosecutor had never been in question. The partners at Capstone Keyes had hired him precisely for his legal mind. It was Molly who’d wanted something different from Drew. And it was Molly who was disappointed. It was Molly who hurt.
She searched his face. “You should be thrilled.” Do you miss us already too? Do you hurt too?
“I am. Really.” He shifted and touched the nursery window, but he didn’t sound convinced. “Having identical twin boys in the family will be great.”
Molly faced the window, sure that it was only her own wistfulness she saw reflected in the glass, not Drew’s. She had to stop looking for things in Drew that weren’t there. Yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself. What did that say about how hard she’d fallen? And would the fall be over soon—she could only hope.
She kept her focus on the twins and away from her heartache. For reasons she refused to consider, she lingered. “I hear there is a new Harrington family contest going on. Have you submitted your idea for the best way to tell the twins apart?”
“I went one step further.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out two bands. Colored paracord had been woven through black titanium links. One of the twin’s names was engraved on each bracelet. “Owen’s band is blue, silver and black. Evan’s band is red, silver and black.”
“Clever.” Thoughtful. Molly refused to be affected. That was the problem. Drew was a good guy. Just not a good guy for her. That ache pulsed and throbbed, seizing her heart.
Drew grinned and held up the bands. “The bracelets expand as the boys grow.”
Molly studied his face. He was the most animated she’d seen him all day. Even after his victory at his hearing, he hadn’t looked quite so satisfied. He’d been too occupied questioning Molly and her integrity. Her smile wavered and she forced her stiff words out. “Sophie will appreciate those a lot.”
The same as Molly would’ve appreciated his hug, not his accusations in the courtroom. Why couldn’t you trust me? Why couldn’t I be enough?
“Kyle Quinn is a good friend, and he wears one like this for a severe nut allergy.” His words rushed out like a child retelling the best part of a playground adventure. “I called Kyle, and he put me in touch with the jewelry store owner.”
“Friends like that are good to have.” Molly had friends now too. Ones she intended to keep in her life, despite her relationship with Drew. He could have his old life back. But she was going to treasure her new friends.
“Ava and Kyle return next week from England. Kyle’s sister is graduating with her PhD from Oxford this weekend.” Drew’s smile reached into his eyes.
“That’s impressive.” Even more was his obvious affection for his friends. She wanted some of the same for herself. But he didn’t trust her. It was hard, if not impossible, to build anything on that detail.
“Ava is expecting, but that’s now our secret.” He laughed and returned the bracelets to his pocket. “They’re really excited about growing their family.”
Family. That ache shook her knees. She’d considered making a family with Drew. Allowed her heart to imagine. But she’d known better than to trust her heart. She pressed her heels into the floor and braced herself. The fall was coming. Inside she fell apart, bit by bit. Piece by piece. How much more before she lost herself completely. She managed a small smile.
“Why am I telling you all this?” He paused and considered her. “You haven’t met Ava and Kyle yet.”
Yet. Yet implied she would meet Ava and Kyle.
Yet implied Drew considered a future with Molly in it.
Clearly, she hadn’t learned to set aside her hope yet. She stepped around Drew, forcing the quiver out of her voice. “It’s late. I need to get home to Hazel. You should visit Sophie before she falls asleep.”
“Good idea.” Drew turned toward her. His earlier animation dissolved. His voice quieted. “Molly. Will I... We should...”
“Night, Drew.” Molly
