Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
I cross my legs under the table and lean back in my seat with my arms crossed over my chest. “Well, it seems we want two different things, Beau.”
He licks the icing off his fork, and I can’t take my eyes off his tongue. That’s something I’m definitely going to miss.
He sets the fork down and narrows his eyes at me. “Last night, I asked you if there was someone else.”
I open my mouth, and he holds his hand up. “You hesitated. Whether you realize it or not, you hesitated. Is. There. Someone. Else?”
I uncross my arms on my chest and settle them on the table in front of me as I lean forward. “Beau, I’ve never cheated on you.”
His forehead creases. “But? I hear a but in there.”
I shake my head. “I haven’t cheated on you, and I wouldn’t. The reason I hesitated is because there is a man—”
He cuts me off. “Who is it?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t matter. He knows I’m married, and he knows I’m not interested, but I’m not going to lie to you. It feels good that he finds me attractive and he flirts with me.”
His jaw hardens. “He flirts with you?”
I throw my hands up in the air. “It doesn’t matter. He’s just some guy at the gym. He has nothing to do with us or my decision to end our marriage. You asked why I hesitated, and it’s because even though I’ve never done anything nor would I, I do feel guilty that another man makes me feel attractive. That’s it.”
“I think you’re attractive. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I should keep my mouth closed. There’s no reason to argue about this, but I can’t stop myself. “Really? Is that why you only touch me when we’re in our bedroom? Is that why you never want to be seen with me? Hell, Beau, some people don’t even know I’m your wife. Whiskey Run is small, and everyone knows everyone, but there are people that have no idea that you have a wife… that I’m your wife.”
He’s shaking his head, obviously not listening to a word I say. “We’re not getting a divorce, Nat.”
I give him a half-hearted shrug. “Well, then I don’t know where we go from here because we obviously disagree on things.”
He gets out of his seat and paces back and forth behind me. I sit quietly as he seems to get lost in thought. The piece of cake I was looking forward to sits uneaten.
I lean my head on the back of the chair and close my eyes, and even now, I wonder if I’m making the right decision. I love Beau, but I can’t continue like this. I already feel like I’ve lost who I am. It’s time I put myself first.
I lift my head when he sits back down and scoots his chair closer to me. “Can we talk about this?”
I try to stay strong and avoid eye contact. “Sure, we can talk about it, but I don’t think it’s going to change anything.”
He reaches across the table and grabs my hand. I watch as he laces our fingers together. With his other hand, he rubs his thumb across my knuckles. “Will you do me a favor?”
I should say no. I know that I should, but just as I open my mouth to say it, I mutter, “What kind of favor?”
“I want you to do something for me.”
He grips my hand tighter, and I force the words out. “What do you want?”
“Give me a month….”
His voice trails off, and when he doesn’t continue, I ask him, “Give you a month for what?”
“I’m taking a month off work. I had a meeting with my brothers today. Huddy and Elle are going to take over the CFO duties for me.”
Speechless, my mouth falls open, and he laughs. “I know, I never take any time off, and it sounds crazy to think I’m taking a month off, but I am.”
I look at our joined hands. “And what are you going to do this month? What do you want from me?”
“I want you to go to Ollie’s soccer games with me. Maybe he can spend the night here with us one night. I want you to come to our family dinners. I have a fundraiser coming up, and I’d like you to go with me. Lucas and Issi’s baby is due this month, and I want you to be there with me when he or she is born. Ford and Lilian are getting married. I’m sure Huddy and Elle will be next. I want you to go with me.”
“Beau, that’s not all happening in a month.”
His posture is rigid, and his forearms are flexed. “Maybe not, but whatever does happen in the month, I want you to be there with me. I realized that I’ve messed up, and I want to make it right.”