She hadn’t known where else to go. For better or worse, Gansett Island was home, and if she was going to rebuild her life—again—she’d rather be surrounded by friends, even if some of them were nosy busybodies who’d take far too much pleasure in gossiping about her latest romantic failure.

“Oh, Cal, how did this happen?” she whispered, gazing up at the ceiling. They’d been so happy here on the island, but the minute they relocated to his hometown in Texas, it had fallen apart. Nothing was the same. Their easy relationship had become more complicated by the day until Abby had realized her choice was either to get out of there or spend the rest of her life playing second fiddle to all the other people in his life who got top billing. After years of taking a backseat to Grant’s illustrious career, she was unwilling to do that again.

Somewhere out there was a man who’d put her first, who’d treat her the way she deserved to be treated. And if that man didn’t exist, then so be it. She’d rather be alone than be treated like a piece of furniture by the man she loved, thus her decision to forgo men completely. That had to be easier than this.

A sob erupted from her chest, reminding her that she’d expected to be married by now—a long time ago, if she were being honest. She’d hoped to be a young mother, and now here she was at thirty-two with nothing more to show for those years than yet another failed relationship.

A knock on the door had her rising, wiping her face on a sleeve already ruined by mascara, and running her fingers through her long dark hair, hoping to bring some order to it.

“Who is it?”

“Janey.”

Abby disengaged the lock on the door and opened it to admit her dear friend, Janey McCarthy Cantrell, who was hugely pregnant, and out of breath after climbing three flights of stairs. Seeing her friend pregnant triggered Abby’s emotions, and suddenly she was crying her heart out while Janey did her best to provide comfort. The gigantic belly made it impossible for Janey to give hugs, so she did the next best thing by sliding one arm around Abby and easing her into the room, shutting the door behind them.

“There, now, it can’t be as bad as all that,” Janey said when they were seated side by side on the bed. “Cal is crazy about you. We all saw that.”

Unable to speak over the torrent of tears, Abby shook her head.

Janey patted her knee. “Take your time, honey. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”