I don’t know if she was dragging it out because of me, but if she was, that just means it’s even better that it’s over. At least for her. I’m no good for her. I knew that going in. I thought she did, too.

As for me, I’ll just have to scratch this itch somewhere else. No, I’ve never had a woman get under my skin like this, but as I’ve heard numerous times throughout my life, I’m better off alone. And that means fleeting interludes with women, not real relationships. Nothing lasting. Certainly nothing permanent. And that’s what Laney needs—forever. What she’s ultimately after in life. And I just can’t be that for her. So the best thing I can do is step aside and let someone who can give her that have a chance to do it.

But knowing all this, knowing that it makes the most sense from every perspective, doesn’t make it bother me any less. The fact is, I don’t want to scratch this itch with someone else. I wanted to get it out of my system with Laney. Sort of overdose it. Overdose with her. Flood my body with her until I didn’t crave her anymore.

Damn that woman! What the hell has she done to me?

It’s been nearly a week and no Jake. Deep down, I knew—I just knew—that he had feelings for me. I would’ve bet money on it. We had settled into what was very close to a marriage for a while. And he was thriving and happy. Or at least he seemed to be. But evidently I was wrong.

He hasn’t been by to see me in the hospital since that first day, when my father acted so horribly. He hasn’t called. Hasn’t returned any of my calls. He just disappeared. Like he never was.

Only I can’t seem to forget him. I can’t pretend that he never was, because to my heart, he still is.

I lay my cell phone to the side. There’s no point in leaving him any more messages. It’s obvious that he’s done with me. I just need to let it go.

I roll onto my side, willing myself not to cry, not to shed one more tear over him. I hear a throat clear behind me and my heart stutters. But when I turn over, I see Tori standing in the doorway.

“Hey,” I say, unenthused.

My lack of zeal has nothing to do with her. I’m very ready to forgive her and move on. It has everything to do with the fact that she’s not Jake. But she can’t help that. Only Jake can fix that.

“I was going to stay away, but . . .”

She eases into the room, and I scoot into a sitting position in the bed, patting the space beside my legs. She gives me a small smile and comes to sit with me.

“So, how are things with you?” I ask.

Tori tilts her head to the side and gives me a disdainful look. “I’m not here to talk about my boring life. I’m here to visit my best friend who got bitten by a snake in the woods with Jake Theopolis.” Tori’s mouth drops open and her eyes sparkle. “Oh my God, Laney! You always said when you went wild, you’d do it your way. You weren’t kidding.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Where’d you hear about that?”

“Well, your parents could only keep things hush-hush for a while. With you in such a public place as a hospital, there was nothing they could do to keep word from spreading. And spread it did!”

I lay my head back against the pillows and close my eyes. “Great,” I sigh.

“Nah, it’s not that bad. Pretty much everyone sees you as the victim. You know, big bad Jake lures sweet, innocent Laney into a trap.”

“This town . . . Why am I not surprised?”

Tori shrugs and pushes her long hair back over her shoulder. “This is the kind of place that needs a villain. And Jake has always given them one. You know, taking advantage of girls.” She snorts and adds, “As if he’d even have to ask twice.”

I smile but say nothing.

A slow, mischievous grin creeps over Tori’s face. “So, you wouldn’t be willing to throw a girl a bone, would you? Tell me all about it?”

I give her a sad smile. “It’s nothing you’d want to hear about.”

Her eyes get big as saucers. “Are you kidding me? Laney, I’ve wanted to be on that guy’s radar since kindergarten!”

I grin. “You have not.”

She gives me a dubious look. “Laney. Come on. You know I developed early . . .”

She makes a good point. “For you and your hormones, kindergarten is probably right.”

Tori gets a wistful look on her face and stares out into space. “Ahhh, the third grader that woke my sleeping body . . .”

That makes me giggle. “I don’t think even you were quite that bad.”

Tori palms her generous chest and gives them a shake. “I had boobs by the time I was nine. Trust me, everything else was just as early.” Smiling, I just shake my head at her. “So come on. Spill.”

I feel my smile die. What happened between me and Jake wasn’t just a sexy sidetrack in my life. Sharing it with Tori would just make it feel dirty and . . . well . . . just less. “Nah, there’s nothing really to spill.” I fiddle with the edge of the sheet, avoiding her eyes.

I hear her gasp as she grabs my hand and stills it. “You didn’t fall in love with him, did you?”

My eyes sting. Even Tori thinks I made a mistake. Is it so impossible that Jake could ever love someone like me?

It must be.

Tori says nothing for a couple of long minutes, minutes that give me time to collect myself.

“You know, Laney, I was thinking about the stuff with Shane. I hate to even bring it up again, but maybe you should just forget everything I said, forget everything that happened and give the guy another chance. I don’t want for you to miss out on your happy ending because of what I did or what I think. That’s a decision you need to make on your own, without my help and input.”

I growl in frustration. “Not you, too!”

“I’m not saying you should marry the guy or take him back with open arms. I’m just saying that maybe you ought to at least give it one more chance. See how you feel. See how things go. I couldn’t live with myself if I thought I cost you the dream you’ve had since childhood.”

I meet Tori’s bright, sincere blue eyes. People have always said we look a lot alike, only Tori’s more vibrant. I know most meant it with regard to coloring, but I’ve always felt like I pale in comparison to her in every way. Shane choosing a free spirit like her only underscored it.

But now, just because I don’t want to be the sweet goody-goody anymore doesn’t mean I’m cut out to be vibrant like her. Someone who could ever hold the interest of Jake. Maybe I was overreaching by thinking someone like him could settle down with someone like me. Or settle down at all.

“Maybe my dream changed, Tor.”

She gives my hand a squeeze. “Just make sure, Laney. Make sure you’re doing things for the right reasons. Don’t let me sway you. Or your dad. Or anyone else. Do what makes you happy.”

Already, a plan is forming in my mind. I lean forward, giving my friend a smile. “You know what would make me happy?”

“What’s that?”

“A birthday party.”

“You’re in the hospital, Laney. I hardly think—”

“I mean when I get out. A belated birthday party.”

Tori’s face lights up. “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

It’s been well over a week since I’ve seen or talked to Laney. There’s a guy at the market who knows her dad, and he says she’s recovering very well so I know she’s fine. And I know I’m doing the right thing by keeping my distance, but she’s not making it easy.

I listen to her message. She left several earlier on, each of which was light and fun, even though I know she was bothered by my sudden disappearance. But this one is the only one I’ve listened to more than once. This is the one that’s tempting me. It came in after I hadn’t heard from her for a day or two. And the tone is just . . . different.