Page 69 of Planned Seduction
Chapter Thirteen
When Simon cheated on her, Amy thought she’d never get over it. She believed she’d be miserable and alone for the rest of her life. Time had taught her the truth. The heartache she’d dealt with then was nothing compared to what she was going through now. It was like comparing a blister to an amputation.
She’d ripped Daniel out of her life. One minute he was there and everything was fantastic. The next he was gone and her world was one big screwup.
Without Daniel, she had nothing. Life lost meaning.
When he’d walked out of her apartment, he’d walked out of her life.
There were no negotiations, no “I’ll see you tomorrow,” no last-minute change of mind. He was gone. It wasn’t just their sexual relationship she’d brought to a crashing halt. It was their friendship, too.
He hadn’t called the next day, or the one after that. He’d made no contact at all. Not even to say good-bye when he left on his trip for National Geographic.
It had been the most awful month of her life. Over thirty days of silence. She didn’t have a clue whether his assignment was over or if he was home. She hadn’t heard a word from him since that hideous night. Not a visit, not a call, not even a text. She hadn’t heard from Lexi, either.
Not that she blamed Daniel. She’d kicked him out. What did she expect? That he’d come groveling back to her? Or send his sister to do his bidding for him?
Her brilliant plan had failed. She hadn’t saved herself from the hurt of his ultimate rejection, and she hadn’t saved any part of their friendship.
Without meaning to, she’d fulfilled her own prophecy. She’d lost her lover and her best friend. All because she’d sent him away out of fear.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a full night’s rest. She’d lie in bed and ache for the warmth of Daniel’s body pressed against hers, the sound of his voice in her ear as they made love.
When she did sleep, her dreams were troubled. They were always about Daniel, but she could never talk to him in them, never touch him. He was always too far away or had just left when she arrived. She would yell, try to catch his attention, but her screams found no voice. When she tried to run after him, her legs were weighted and useless. He’d always walk away.
It was easier not to sleep.
Food lost its appeal. It stuck in her throat, gagging her. In the passing weeks, she’d lost nearly five kilos.
It was easier not to eat.
Then there were those terrifying moments when she couldn’t remember what he looked like. She could feel his silky curls, smell his aftershave, even see his dimples and devilish smile, but she couldn’t put the image together to make his face whole.
She was lonelier than she’d ever thought possible. When she stood in the middle of a crowd, she was alone. Her best friend was gone.
How could she have coordinated this terrible sequence of events? How could she have calmly stood in her lounge and ordered Daniel out of her life? The reasoning that once seemed so solid now seemed ridiculous.
Without Daniel, life held no purpose.
She loved the man. Wanted him back. She couldn’t live without him. Her sorry state of mind bore testament to that fact.
A knock on the door disturbed her despondent musings.
“Come in.” She blotted her eyes and blew her nose, clearing her throat as she stared at the door.
Maggie walked in with Miranda, one of the other fertility counselors.
“Ame, we need your help, if that’s—” Maggie broke off midsentence to stare at Amy.
Amy shook her head, hoping Maggie would understand she didn’t want to say anything right now, especially in front of Miranda. “Hay fever,” she lied.
Maggie looked uncertain for a moment, even opened her mouth a few times to say something, but in the end, she gave a short nod. “We were hoping to get your help with this case, if you have the time.”
“Of course.” She shoved her misery aside, figuring she had about four minutes until the pain came crashing back down. “Please, sit.”
Maggie handed her a folder. “I know you’re familiar with the basic details of the case. But there’s been a new development.”
Without glancing at the notes, Amy knew they were talking about the gay couple.
