Page 7 of Dream Chaser

She sniffled. “I guess you’re calling to apologize. Donna just called me. Preston told her you got drunk and made a scene in front of his friends last night, all because he didn’t approve of your skimpy dress. Who did I raise, Nova? I don’t recognize you.”

I clutched the wheel until my knuckles hurt. “I didn’t make a scene, and I wasn’t drunk. He called me—”

“And he regrets it. Words are just words, but your indecent behavior tarnished your family’s image. I hope he forgives you. I wouldn’t survive the shame if my daughter’s husband left her. That’s never happened in our family or any other decent family in town.”

I cut the call, hands shaking. I should’ve known Preston would cover his ass with both his mother and mine.

A sigh left my chest as I turned the key in the ignition.

I needed to move. Go somewhere he wouldn’t find me so I could decide what to do next.

White sand and ocean waves filled my mind—Emerport, only two hours away. The city where I’d studied and planned to settle down once I’d found a job of my dreams, and the only place where I wanted to be now.

If only I hadn’t agreed to date Preston my last year of college.

Not long after I introduced him to my parents as my boyfriend, Dad passed away. The one person who’d always been in my corner was gone.

While I was drowning in grief, Preston proposed. It’d seemed too much, too soon. But for the first time since Dad died, Mom looked happy. As she loved to remind me, Dad had liked Preston. Starved for comfort and exhausted from carrying Mom through her grief, I’d said yes.

In hindsight, I should’ve trusted my gut. Should’ve realized Preston’s promises to take care of me were empty. So was his promise that we’d eventually leave tiny Millford, with its nonexistent job opportunities, and move to Emerport so I could find work.

I got sucked into the routine. Numbed by grief, I lost myself in a life I’d never wanted.

Three years later, I didn’t recognize my life. I didn’t recognize myself.

After a two-hour drive, I sat in the first coffee shop I’d found in Emerport. What was I going to do now? I had no friends. The ones I’d had were all Preston’s, and I’d cut ties with everyone from my pre-Preston life.

What the hell was I thinking? How was I supposed to survive on my own?

How could I leave without a solid plan?

I scrolled through my contacts, my mind reeling. I hadn’t realized how few people I knew. The only names on the list who weren’t linked to Preston were the ones I’d traded for my fairytale marriage.

Scarlett was one of them. We went to countless parties together in college, bonded over shared classes, and planned trips we never took. Preston couldn’t stand her. He hated that she was opinionated and independent, and I let him convince me there was no place for that friendship in my future.

My finger hovered over the call button. Would she even remember me after all this time? I sighed. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Her ignoring my call? Telling me she was busy? I was called a cheap whore by the person who vowed to love and cherish me. I could handle anything.

“Nova?” Scarlett’s soft, melodic voice filled my ears.

“Yeah.” I sat up straighter, heart racing. I hadn’t expected she’d answer—or sound so happy to hear from me.

“How have you been?” she asked. “I wanted to call you so many times, but I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk to me.”

“I should’ve gotten in touch sooner. I know it’s short notice, but I’m in Emerport if you’ve got time for coffee.”

“I’d love to see you. Just tell me where you are.”

“Um.” I grabbed the laminated menu from the table. “I’m at Café Au Lait close to the marina. It’s got turquoise tables and a terrace.”

“I know it. See you soon.”

Twenty minutes later, she breezed into the coffee shop in a red linen dress, her long blonde hair tumbling down her back. Jasmine perfume drifted around me as she pulled me into a hug. Her family’s perfume business was famous here and in Europe. I still kept an empty bottle of the floral perfume she’d given me for my twenty-first birthday.

If I’d known I’d meet my future husband at that club, I’d have let Scarlett drag me to one of her favorite fancy restaurants instead.

“Are you okay?” She studied me, her brow furrowed. “You sounded off on the phone.”

“Yes. No.” I let out a bitter laugh. “I left Preston. And I’ve got no idea what to do now.”