Page 113 of Let You Love Me

“He is. Or, he was.” I grimace, then huff out a breath and glance at the time on my phone. “We’ll give it a few more minutes, then we’ll go.”

My mother returns from refilling the candy bowl in the kitchen, and her eyes soften as she asks, “He still hasn’t shown?”

I shake my head, my throat tight.

“I’m sure he has a good reason.”

“Yeah, sure.”

But then why didn’t he call?

Teagan’s a grown man, perfectly capable of sending a text, and if he wants to be involved in my life—in Sophie’s life—he needs to learn to be accountable.

I pass the mirror in the foyer and catch a glimpse of my reflection, suddenly self-conscious in my face paint and bunny ears.

I want to rip them off, to yell and scream because I did the one thing I promised myself I’d never do. I relied on him to show up, and now I’m allowing my faith in him to ruin a special moment with my daughter when I should be enjoying it. The last thing I want is for her to be disappointed because a man I brought into our lives—a friend—didn’t do what he promised, not when I can be enough for us both.

I shove aside the sinking anvil of disappointment and reason with myself. Maybe he is genuinely running late. Maybe he has a good reason. Or maybe he doesn’t. Either way, it’s time to stop waiting around for him.

The doorbell rings and Sophie joins my mother, grabbing a couple pieces of candy for the trick or treaters. “We’ll go after this one, Soph” I say, but when my mother swings the door open, I freeze.

While my mother’s face splits into a smile, mine fades. “Oh, Chance, honey, Ed isn’t here yet. Do you want to come in and wait?”

I cross my arms over my chest, annoyed he chose this moment to show up.

My mother moves aside as he steps in beside her. “Do you want candy?” Sophie asks, and I stiffen, waiting for Chance to acknowledge her.

He hesitates for a beat, as if he has no clue how to interact with a little human, before he nods. “Uh, sure. Thanks,” he says, and when she hands him a candy bar, he smiles.

I hate it.

“Come on, Soph. Time to go.” I motion toward her pumpkin bucket, suddenly in a hurry to get the hell out of here. Chance knows my father always stays at his office for more than an hour after practice. He’s never back this early, which makes me wonder why he’s really here.

I’m not sure I want to stick around to find out.

Sophie hurries toward her basket and scoops it up while I ignore the way Chance is staring at me. I remember a time when his attention was all I wanted. When it made me feel special.

My stomach twists at the memory.

“I figured you’d already be out,” he says.

I hum a noncommittal response, then say, “We got delayed.”

With her pumpkin bucket in hand, Sophie skips to my side and beams up at me. “We finally get to go now?” she asks, bubbling with so much excitement it ties my stomach in knots. I never should have made her wait.

“Yep. Let’s go, honey.” I reach down and clasp her hand, brushing right by Chance without a second glance as my mother stops us at the door.

“Wait, Lane—” She grips my arm, while I try to stanch my frustration. All I want to do is get the hell out of here and away from Chance, but her bright-eyed expression tells me I’m not going to like what she’s about to say. “Why don’t you takeChance with you? That way you have company while you walk house to house.”

Yup, absolutely loathe it.

My stomach twists like a towel being wrung dry. “No, Mom, it’s fine. I don’t think—”

“I’d love to,” he interrupts.

My head jerks toward him and the blood drains from my face. “That’s really not necessary.”

“Nonsense. Your father won’t be back for at least another thirty minutes. Chance might as well go and kill the time,” my mother insists. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”