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 don’t have to wait long for him to respond. Thank you, Nat. You won’t regret it. I love you, honey. Be safe tonight and let me know if you need a ride home.
I type out a text but stop before I send it. Do you really love me?
I read the line three times before I start hitting the button to delete it. It doesn’t have to be worked out all in one night. I’ve given us thirty days, and hopefully in that time, I can figure out what my next step needs to be. And even now, after everything, I can’t picture my future without Beau in it.
Chapter 9
Beau
Go to lunch with me.
I send the text to Natalie as I sit outside her gym.
I stayed up until she got home last night. I was alerted by the cameras when she pulled into the driveway. I watched as the garage door came up and she pulled her car in and the door closed. It was only once I knew she was home, safe and sound, that I was able to turn the lights out and lie down in the bed.
I tossed and turned most of the night. I wanted to be lying next to Nat, where I belong. I’ve been so stupid. I’ve wasted so much time keeping her at a distance and thinking I’d be okay if she left me. I should have realized when I married her that the idea I could guard my heart was useless. I’m completely in love with her, and the thought of a future without her has made me physically sick.
I stare at my phone, waiting for the bubbles to pop up that she’s texting me back.
I timed my text to send when I knew her class was over.
I let out a breath when the bubbles appear and then shortly after, a text.
It’s ten in the morning.
I laugh and type out a response. Fine, breakfast, brunch… whatever.
I look through the window of the gym, hoping for just a glimpse of her, but when I don't see her, I stare down at my phone.
Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up. Meet me at Sugar Glaze Bakery?
YES.
I then take the next three minutes, watching the clock on the dashboard of my car. When it gets to two minutes remaining, I’m out of my SUV, pacing out front of Work It Out. I had intentions to play it cool and just meet her at the bakery, but I want more time with her. Hell, I want all the time with her, so I wait for her to come out so we can walk to the bakery together.
She comes out of her gym, wide-eyed. “Hey, I thought we were meeting at the bakery.”
I shrug, reaching for her hand. She tenses, but she doesn’t pull away. “I thought we could walk together. If you have time, there’s a book fair in the square. We could go there after.”
She stops and looks up at me. “You want to go to a book fair?”
Offended, I lift my shoulders. “I read.”
She laughs and starts walking again. “Oh, I know you read. You’re probably the smartest person I know. But this is a used book fair, and it’s known for having romance books, children’s books, and things like that. They don’t usually have textbooks or hardly any nonfiction books.”
I pull her closer to my side. “That’s fine. You like to read romance.”
She seems surprised. “Yeah, I do.”
I nod my head at a person passing by and nudge Nat with my shoulder. “What? You don’t think I know what you read?”
She avoids my gaze and is looking at the pavement in front of us. “I mean, I thought you might, but we never talked about it. You never asked me about it or anything.”
I stop walking, and since we’re holding hands, I pull her to stop next to me. I release my hold on her, but just for an instant. I palm her shoulders and take a step toward her until I can feel her pressed against the front of me. Already, my manhood is stirring, but I don’t dare let go. “I know I’ve screwed up, Nat. Fuck, I almost lost you because of how I’ve behaved. I’m a fool, but I promise you I’m going to do better.”
She finally lifts her eyes to mine, and she’s looking at me skeptically. I’ve never lied to her, but I don’t blame her for looking at me the way she is. Already in the span of just a few minutes, I’ve been more attentive and affectionate to her than I have in our whole marriage. Why should she believe me? I lean down until our lips are mere inches apart. “Trust me, Nat. Give me another chance.”
She takes a step back, and I drop my hands from her shoulders. My heart nearly plummets to my stomach, and I’m about to reach for her when she grabs my hand. “Thirty days, Beau. We’re going to try this for thirty days, and if it doesn’t work, then we walk away.”