She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I fought long and hard to make this work, but I couldn’t do it by myself anymore. I’ve already been through that once before, and I couldn’t do it again. I’m sorry.”

“You know I hate when you compare me to Grant McCarthy.”

“I know.” She refused to apologize for the apt comparison to what had happened between her and Grant.

He reached for her hand. “I admit I didn’t handle things well in Texas. I spent more time than I should have with my mom—”

“That wasn’t the problem, Cal. That’s not what this is about.”

Releasing her hand, he rolled his eyes in frustration. “What do you want me to say? I’ve known Candy all my life. We’re friends the way you are with the McCarthys. That was over a long time ago.”

“I stand by my belief that you have unresolved feelings for her.”

“How do I convince you otherwise?”

“You can’t.”

He shook his head in what seemed to be astonishment. “This is insane. You know that, don’t you? I’m right here, Abby. I’m here with you. I’m telling you I love you, and you don’t believe me? Why would I be here if I didn’t love you? Why would I have come all this way if you weren’t the one I want?”

The pain she heard in his voice had her doubting everything, which was what she’d gone out of her way to avoid before leaving Texas. Then she thought of Candy, of all the times she’d seen her and Cal together and how often she’d seen the truth of their relationship, even if he couldn’t see it.

“I’m sorry you came all this way, but I’ve made my decision, and I intend to honor it.”

“You’re throwing away a good thing.”

“It wasn’t a good thing for me. I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear that.”

He stared at her for a long moment before he got up and walked away. That was when she noticed her hands were shaking. So much for self-confidence.

Adam spent an excruciating fifteen minutes alone with his parents waiting to see if Abby would come back. A staggering array of unsettling possibilities passed through his overactive imagination. All the while he attempted to make small talk with his mind occupied elsewhere.

What if Cal convinced her to give him another chance? And why did that possibility make Adam ache? What the hell was wrong with him? Until a few days ago, he’d barely given Abby a thought since she broke up with his brother. Now she was all he could think about? What was up with that? How did that happen so fast, and what was it about her that was so damned attractive to him?