Chapter 19

Trent didn’t see Lizzie again until the funeral two weeks later. He didn’t speak to her; he didn’t think he could say anything anyway. When she touched his hand and murmured her condolences, he could only nod.

Edward had lingered on, just like Phin had said he would. When he’d passed, though, he’d finally seemed at peace for the first time in his life.

That was a small thing to be grateful for.

Trent had wanted to see Lizzie with a desperation that terrified him. He’d dialed her number and begun writing so many texts, but he’d always resisted contacting her. He’d ended things because it was better for her. He could find the self-control to leave her alone.

He told himself that it was better this way. He thought those words like an incantation every night he lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, sleep eluding him.

He worked in his restaurants for twelve, fourteen hours a day. He hoped that if he worked his fingers to the bone, he’d be able to sleep. Sometimes it worked; usually i