I closed my eyes.
“Not physically.”
He was silent.
Then he asked, “Do you want me to come there?”
Every part of me wanted to say yes.
Instead, I said, “Please don’t. Not tonight. And please don’t call him or his mother. I need you to trust me.”
My father was a quiet man, but when he spoke again, I heard the effort it took him to remain calm.
“I trust you, sweetheart.”
He didn’t ask another question.
At one in the morning, he sent me a message.
*Whatever happened, you have not been stupid. You are allowed to take your time. Sleep if you can.*
I read it until the screen went dark.
Then I removed my wedding dress, hung it in the wardrobe, and lay beside my husband.
Grayson returned a little after two.
He smelled of expensive cologne and champagne. He slid into bed, kissed my forehead, and wrapped an arm around my waist.
