A car started up outside and pulled away, leaving more stillness and silence in its wake.

Sam stared at the red glow of the clock on the bedside table, which read two o’clock. Despite her fierce will, tears flooded her eyes and wet her pillow as she breathed in the scent he’d left on her hand. She saw every minute that passed until the alarm went off at six.

Sam felt like a fool for nearly forgoing a shower so she wouldn’t wash his scent off her hand. “You’re acting like a lovesick teenager,” she muttered as she got up and dragged her aching, tired body into the shower. Everything she had hurt, more so than usual after a night of love with Nick.

Her back ached, her boobs hurt and her lips were raw and swollen. Overall, she was a mess. She stood under the hot water, letting it ease her aches. However, nothing could ease the pain in her chest that had started right around the time he left, and would probably remain until he returned.

Despite feeling ridiculous about her reaction to his departure, tears slid down her cheeks, washed away by the shower. She was determined to get them all out now before she woke Scotty and before she had to be at work. It was bad enough that she’d been a total wreck with Nick, but she wasn’t about to inflict her fears on anyone else, especially Scotty.

She rinsed the conditioner out of her hair and glanced down to find the water tinted with pink. The realization was another shot to the heart, but at least it explained the excessive aches and pains as well as the tears that flowed more freely now that she knew another month would pass without conception.

Not for the first time she wondered if the baby she’d lost in February had been her last chance. And then she remembered what their doctor friend Harry had said about it taking months after the birth control shot wore off for conception to occur. It had only worn off a month ago, but now she could admit that she’d hoped to defy the odds and get pregnant again right away.

She yearned for Nick, the only other person who’d feel the same acute disappointment that she did. Finished with the shower, she wrapped a towel around her body and another around her hair, took care of the period situation, went to find her phone and was elated to find a text from him.

Slight delay but on the way now (3:45). AF1 is astonishing. Can’t wait to tell you all about it. They’re taking our phones until we’re on the way home. If you need me in an emergency, call Derek. He’ll know how to get word to me. Love you always. N