Page 21 of Convincing Carrie
“It was just so close to the office, and she wanted to go…”
“So, your ex wants to go, and you take her immediately. Your actual wife wants to go, and you don’t care.”
I winced. I had no good defense. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
“I’ve heard you say ‘I’m sorry’ more over the past few months than in all the years prior. Guess what? I don’t believe you. If you apologize over and over again for the same thing but don’t change your actions, then you’re not really sorry.”
“But I am.”
She glared at me. “All the late dinners, the canceled plans, leaving early from activities you committed to… is all of that because of her, too?”
“No. I’m the CEO of one of the most important and well-known financial firms in the country. I’m fucking busy.” I was also fucking lying. Again. I was getting too good at it, and it made me hate myself a little. Probably ninety percent of what she was upset about was because of Madison.
“Who hired her?” I could tell she thought it was me, and I was glad that I didn’t have to lie about this, at least.
“Mom. Bryce and I were going to veto, but Madison had already signed a contract.”
She looked slightly less hurt.
I scrubbed a hand over my face, feeling like a total bastard at what I was about to do. “I quit texting with her unless it was necessary for work. You can check my phone if you’d like.” I’d installed a dummy app on my phone for Madison and me to use when texting each other. It was shitty, and I knew it, but until I got my love life figured out, I felt as if I needed it.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. She studied my face for what felt like five minutes. A trickle of sweat started to track down my spine.
“No,” she said finally, flopping back on the couch cushion with a sigh. “I’m not going to be one of those people that starts going through your phone all the time. If we’ve reached that point in our relationship, then it’s already too far gone to save.”
I swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”
She cocked her head at me. “I told you I’d only divorce you for a handful of things, remember?”
I nodded, even though I’d totally forgotten this. I remembered it now, though.
“At the top of the list is cheating on me. If you do that, I’m gone. There’s no coming back from it. Are we at that point, Thatcher?” Her pretty brown eyes were fixed on me, and for once there wasn’t any warmth in them.
I didn’t think it would be a good idea to ask her to define what constituted cheating to her—whether it was just physical, or if other things counted, too. So, I just said, “No, of course not.”
“I’m not sure that I believe you. But this whole thing has come at theworstpossible time. We had your mother’s stupid birthday party tonight, I have the decorating party setfor Thursday, then I have the Orchid Ball. And soon you have the launch party.” She heaved a sigh and shook her head. “I don’t have time to talk through this with you right now. When all that’s over, though, we have to have a serious discussion about our marriage going forward. There have to be some major changes.”
I nodded even though I wasn’t sure exactly what I was agreeing to.
“At least this will give us both some time to think things through.”
I frowned. It sounded as if she’d already decided to divorce me. I was surprised by the level of pain the thought of that caused. I subconsciously rubbed a hand over my heart. It was hard to imagine not coming home to Carrie every night. “I’ll do better. I swear.”
Someone rang the doorbell, and I was surprised to see her stand up and grab a couple of bags from behind the couch.
“I’ve heard that before, Thatch.” She shook her head, her anger at the situation returning. “I just don’t see how you could have let me walk into that. It was so cruel.”
I winced but didn’t say anything.
She looked as if she were waiting for a better response from me. When I didn’t say anything, she said, “I’m going to spend a couple of nights at Blair’s.” She met my eyes. “You promised to be at the decorating party for the Orchid Ball. It’s Thursday night. Don’t forget.”
And with that, she walked out of our house.
CHAPTER NINE
Carrie
Thursday night rolled around, and I was feeling anxious. It wasn’t because of the decorating party I’d scheduled. I’d had the party catered, and there was plenty of wine and liquor as well. I wanted everyone who’d pitched in to help to feel appreciated and have a little fun, too. This included the decorating committee from the garden club, and as many friends and family as I could convince to come. My parents were there, as were several of my friends’ parents. Sadie and Harrison were there, along with Melinda and Drake who were just back from their honeymoon. Then there was Blair, who’d come without Scott. Scott didn’t hang out with us often, and when he did he usually looked bored. I figured he was home watching their children.
