Because the truth was, Ethan would be a great dad. He’d always been responsible. When his father had died, he’d taken over the family business. Because it was the right thing to do. He’d helped his mom, his brothers and sisters. He’d…
She stopped on the sidewalk and replayed the words in her mind. Because it was the right thing to do. That had always defined Ethan. He hadn’t loved Rayanne. He’d married her because she was pregnant. He’d claimed he would have done the same with Liz, and she believed him.
Had Ethan ever declared himself? Had he ever truly loved anyone?
There had been a time, when she’d been eighteen, she would have sworn he had loved her. Had she just been fooling herself? He’d admitted that he’d been too young then. Neither of them could have possibly known if they could make it. But he would have tried.
There was more to a relationship than just giving one’s heart. There was caring and commitment and doing the right thing. There was being a good person. Ethan had all those qualities.
But he didn’t love her.
That was why his offer of a practical marriage had hurt her so much. Why she couldn’t accept. She loved him too much to accept a half life, even if it was the right thing to do.
Which left her with a dilemma. What happened now?
As there was no easy answer, she kept walking. When she got close to Denise’s house, she saw Ethan’s mother sitting on the front porch, obviously watching for her.
“Tyler told me what happened,” the other woman said as Liz approached. “I’m so sorry.”
Liz found herself fighting the need to give in to tears. “Me, too. It’s not that I mind Tyler spending more time with his dad…” She had to stop and clear her throat.
“It’s that he’s rejecting you along the way,” Denise summarized softly, then patted the step. “Come sit down.”
Liz joined her. She felt sick and confused and lost.
Denise moved close and put her arm around her. The gesture was oddly comforting.
“This isn’t about you,” Denise began. “I know it feels like it, but it’s not. You’re a great mom. We can all see that. We don’t even have to watch you with Tyler to get it. Just being around him tells us. He’s bright and confident and curious. Open and friendly, but with plenty of common sense. He cares about other people. You did that. You raised a great son.”
Liz pressed her lips together and nodded. Her throat was too tight for her to speak.
“He’s also still a kid and he has no idea how he’s hurting you. He genuinely can’t see that.”
“I know,” she whispered, then had to wipe away several tears. “I keep telling myself it’s not about me. He’s angry about his dad and Ethan is new and exciting.”
“Exactly. If only knowing made it hurt less.”
Liz looked at her and nodded.
“Oh, honey, I wish I could make it better,” Denise told her.
“Thanks.” She swallowed and tried to get the tears under control. “Want to guess Ethan’s response?”
Denise sighed. “I do love my son, but he’s just a man, so I’m going to guess he was an idiot.”
“He thinks we should get married. That will solve all the problems. Isn’t it practical? I’ll stay here and he can see Tyler all the time and hey, even help with the girls.”
As soon as she spoke, Liz realized it was probably a mistake. Denise was Ethan’s mother. Of course she would take her son’s side. No doubt the other woman would enjoy having her grandson around more.
Denise sighed. “Is this where I tell you Ethan takes after his father?”
Liz glanced at her. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“The words practical and marriage don’t belong in the same conversation. Nothing about marriage is practical. It’s wonderful and difficult and amazing and demanding. Besides, no one wants a proposal like that. We want to hear that the man in question is madly in love with us. We want to be swept away. Not compared to a really good microfiber dust cloth. Attractive and practical. That’s going to make your heart beat faster.”
Liz leaned her head against the other woman’s shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered, wishing she could have known Denise years ago. Maybe if they’d had a chance to form a relationship, things would have been different. She could have come and talked to her and—
Liz straightened, then scrambled to her feet. “You’re not surprised he proposed. You know we’ve been…” Sleeping seemed like the wrong word. “Seeing each other?”
Denise laughed. “Yes. It’s fairly obvious. Ethan is many things, but subtle isn’t one of them. He was furious at first, but now you’re getting along. I assumed things were progressing.”
Denise paused. “I wasn’t sure at first. I always felt so badly about how you grew up. I could see how difficult it was for you. I have three daughters myself. Yet I couldn’t seem to reach out to you. I never knew how or what to say.”