Sherry couldn’t think. An hour ago, her life had been fine, and now everything was about to change again. Drastically.

God, Jake would be devastated. Images of how Madison played and cuddled with him flooded her mind.

She couldn’t tell if the drive home took forever or only a few minutes.

Together, they stepped into the elevator and then into the apartment.

It was no longer her home. Tomorrow, she would start searching for a place that really would be her home.

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Numb. Madison felt totally numb. After an extra-hot shower, to feel at least something, she had put on black satin pajamas. Their color fit her mood perfectly. Now she stood frozen in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in her living room.

Looking out over the high buildings of the city, it was always difficult to see the stars. Because of the smoke from the fireworks and the thick clouds hovering over the sky, it was impossible tonight. Rain lashed against the window whenever the wind gusted.

It was as if the heavens were crying. But it was Madison who had tears running down her cheeks.

Angry at her emotional outburst, she wiped yet another tear from her face. This was ridiculous. She had gotten used to the waitress and her boy; that was all. But she was smart enough to know that it never paid off to develop real feelings for someone. You just got hurt. So stop whining.

“Madison?”

It seemed Sherry was done with her own shower in the other bathroom. Without turning, she tried to sound annoyed when she said, “Yeah?”

Sherry didn’t answer. Instead, Madison heard receding steps. She whirled around.

Sherry walked toward the bedroom but came back out seconds later with something huge in her hands. What, Madison couldn’t tell for sure in the darkness, but her mind supplied the answer: her pillow and a blanket.

Sherry put them on the couch, sat down beside the bundle, and waited.

She’s waiting for me to go into the bedroom. Anger surged through her, so strong she started trembling.

With her hands balled into fists, she stomped to the couch, stopped very close in front of Sherry, and stared down at her. She opened her mouth and…nothing. Not one single word would come out.

In a soft, almost fragile voice, Sherry asked, “Yeah?”

Madison tried to speak; she really did. But her vocal cords wouldn’t obey. There’s nothing more to say. She should just leave. Her legs wouldn’t listen to her mind, though, and she finally lost the last traces of control over her body when she sank on her knees directly in front of Sherry. Then, suddenly, her voice was back, but it didn’t say what Madison wanted it to say. “Don’t go.” Even more quietly, she added, “Please.”

After a second, or maybe an hour, it dawned on her that she was making a total fool of herself.