"Remember our anniversary? You asked me why I loved you. Mr. Price, bless his heart, I think initially just felt sorry for me. And Liz had her own agenda," Heather said wryly. "But you are the first person in my life to actually make ME believe I was really worth something. You're the first person to make me believe that I even COULD be loved . . . that I might actually deserve to be loved. I just wish I could make you realize just what that means to me."

Laurie had never heard Heather so emotionally exposed before. True, they had talked about their insecurities, problems and desires, but...