Chapter Thirty-eight

“I will be a better man from now on. Everything is going to be different now, petal. I swear to you. I will do whatever you say, anything to make you happy, anything at all…”

Sylvia stared out wearily at the passing scenery as they approached the eastern edge of San Francisco. For the last hour, Arnold had been prattling on about forgiveness and love. She didn’t think he knew what the hell he was talking about.

But then, neither did she, Sylvia thought bitterly. She thought of the stark, anguished look on Xavier’s face when he’d said, “I will not try to see you again,” and it was all she could do to keep from crying.

So maybe she did finally know what love was after all. Pain.

She blinked quickly, staring out at the rain as they zoomed west on the highway.

“I was so selfish to insist on having our wedding in Sweden. I should have realized how important it was to you to be married in your own hometown. I swear to you, petal, this time we’ll do it differently…”

“Just take me home,” she