Page 73 of Hold Me Tight

It’s both warm and easy.

That’s all it takes for something sharp to twist low in my belly as I slowly move toward the sound, each step heavier than the last.

Maybe the intimacy between us meant nothing to him. Maybe everything he said about wanting me all these years was a lie.

Nothing more than a line to get me into his bed.

It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve fallen for pretty words.

What hurts the most is that after everything I’ve been through, I believed him.

I’m such an idiot.

River’s deep voice floats down the hall, mingling with the woman’s. It’s low, warm, and familiar, curling through me with the kind of ache that’s impossible to shake.

Dread slams into me as I realize it’s coming from Nora’s room.

No, it’s not her room.

Just the space where she’s been staying.

I stop a few feet from the doorway, every part of me clenched tight, as if I’m bracing for a blow.

The first thing I’m going to do after confronting River is call my parents and ask if I can crash at their place until I find a new living arrangement. It won’t be easy, but I don’t have many options.

Instead of loitering in the hallway, I force myself to step into the room. River stands near the windows, talking to a woman I don’t recognize. She’s tall and polished in a way I could never be. Her dark hair is tucked behind one ear as she leans in to show him something on her phone. The smile gracing her lips is effortless, and her body language is a little too familiar. As if they’re well acquainted.

Nora sits at River’s feet, flipping through a board book with Gaffy tucked in her lap.

The scene punches me in the chest. It’s cozy and casual. As if they’re already a little family and I’m the outsider.

Before I can stop myself, I clear my throat.

River’s head jerks up, and surprise flashes across his face. “You’re home already?”

Umm, excuse me?

He brushes his palms on his jeans and steps toward me. “I wanted the room to be a surprise.”

The room?

The woman flashes a bright and airy smile my way. “Your husband is the absolute sweetest. I promise, you’re going to love everything we discussed today. Oh! I’m Anna, by the way.” She crosses the room and offers a perfectly manicured hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

My brain stumbles over one word.

Husband.

When I open my mouth to correct her, River beats me to it with a wink. “That’s what I keep telling my wife.”

Anna gathers up her samples and waves on her way out. “I’ll be back in a few days to start working on the space. I can’t wait for you to see the final result.”

I stare at River as her heels echo down the hallway. “You hired someone to decorate your guestroom?”

“No, I hired someone to decorate Nora’s room,” he corrects. “I figured she deserved a space that felt like her own. Something fun and pretty.”

My gaze flicks to the empty doorway again. “Yes, well, she was certainly pretty.”

The second the words shoot out of my mouth, I want to shove them back inside where they belong. My wide eyes dart to River.