Page 186 of Bridesmaid By Chance
Because my words set in as she takes a step back. And I can see the wheels in her head spinning, analyzing my comment before a mask of indifference falls over her features. That’s all it took to snap out of this fantasyland we’ve been living in.
She wipes at her eyes and says, “You’re right. I’m…I’m sorry.” She wipes again. “I was just caught off guard. But you’re so right.” She exhales sharply and takes a step backward. “Um, have a safe flight.”
I contemplate what to do next, because she just slammed a metaphorical door. She took what I said and sprinted with it. Which I should take as a blessing, because one sentence was all it took to remind us inthis fucked-up situationship that we call a marriage, that it’s all been a farce.
And yet, once again, things aren’t settling well.
They don’t sit right.
I want to tell her that I didn’t mean it.
That she should expect me to call, text, FaceTime when I’m gone.
That I’m going to be thinking about her every second that I’m over in California.
But this is easier, better, right?
Having this distance?
She’s setting the precedent right now by backing away.
This is business.
There shouldn’t be texting when I’m gone.
There shouldn’t be FaceTiming just so I can see her beautiful eyes. Or to catch a hint of her smile.
Nope, this is how it should be.
Cold.
Distant.
So I follow her lead.
I stick my hands in my pockets and say, “Thanks.”
She takes another step back. “And if you need me to do anything, schedule meetings, whatever you need, just email me, I’ll set it up.”
“Don’t worry about it?—”
“I’m here for work, Hudson, and I’m your assistant, so you let me know what you need.”
Yup, she’s completely shut down, and before I say something stupid like…you’re not my assistant, you’re my wife, I nod.
“Okay, sounds good.” I grab my suitcase handle and head toward the door. “Be back in a few.”
“Yup. Safe flight.”
I want to kiss her.
I want to hug her.
I want to strip her out of that stupid pajama set and fuck her so she will remember me when I’m gone.
But instead, I wheel my bag out of the hotel room and down the hall.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
