Page 24 of My Almost Ex

“I still think there’s a reason for that, and she’s just not saying what it is.”

Toby and his damn theories. I think he doesn’t want to see the situation for what it is because of fear. Fear that if Lucy could up and leave me one day, then Cora could do the same.

“She stopped loving me. I didn’t make her happy. And losing her memories doesn’t change that.”

He leans back, his forearms on the step above where he’s sitting. “I’m not suggesting it does, but let’s say she never regains that memory? You could get what you’ve wanted all this time.”

“What?” My head whips in his direction.

“It’s not like you’re a vault. I know you still love her.”

“I’ve moved on. I’ve got Alicia now.”

He chuckles. “You don’t love Alicia.”

“I could… maybe.”

“Bullshit. I hate to give you the bad news, but there’s been one woman your entire life, and that’s Lucy Davis.”

I refrain from saying she’s technically still a Greene. That would just make his point further.

“Maybe if you admit that to yourself, you could think more clearly.”

“And what would you do, oh wise one?” I cross my arms.

“If it was Cora, you mean?”

I blow out an annoyed breath. “Yes, if it was Cora.”

“Easy. I’d go along with the story that we’re still married, and we’d live happily ever after. Then if she ever did get her memory back, I’d just have to lock her in a closet until she came to her senses.”

“You’d deceive her?” A smile tips my lips because I actually envision it happening.

“She’s my world. Hell, if it wasn’t for her, I’d be facedown in my own vomit. That woman saw something in me I didn’t even know was there.”

“I’m not sure any of us knew it was there.”

He picks up a piece of chalk on the stair and throws it at me. “Hey, asshole, you’re the one who wants advice.”

“Not if it includes ignoring reality.”

The door opens and Cora comes out, then she hands us each a bottle of water.

“Where’s the beer?” I ask.

“It’s noon.” She sits down next to her husband and he swings his arm between her legs, resting the side of his body against hers and his hand against her calf. “You two fix this?” Doubt is clear in her voice.

“Don’t lose your memory, otherwise Toby is gonna lock you up in a closet. He can’t live without you.”

She looks at him and kisses him. “Same.”

“You’re both delusional.” I shake my head and they laugh.

Cora stands from the stairs and meets me at the bottom. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I am the smartest one here, so here it goes. You ready to hear it?”

“I’m ready for anything,” I say.

“You need to help her. I know that you might end up right where you were a year ago at the end of this, but you know as much as we do that you’re going to help her. You love her still, so let’s stop pretending that you hate her and wish her ill. It’s killing you to see her struggling.”

---