Page 121 of Redemption

Her expression changed, shifting to something more downcast. “That’s my problem. I keep hoping and waiting for Logan to step up, but I’m done. I’m done trying to be the perfect mom and have the perfect home. I’m done trying to be the perfect wife to a husband who won’t even stuff my stocking.”

I started laughing. I couldn’t help it. “Is that a euphemism?”

Greer joined me. “Oh my god. I didn’t even…” She caught her breath. “But yes, that too.”

We were quiet a moment. Then she ran a hand through her hair. “All joking aside, he just doesn’t seem to care about anything anymore. At least, not anything that pertains to me.” She slumped. “It’s a really shitty feeling. Nearly fifteen years of marriage. Eighteen years together and now…” She shrugged, and I knew she was fighting back tears. Hell, I was.

“Now?” I prompted.

“I told him I wanted a divorce, and he said nothing. Nothing!” Her admission pained me. “Whatever.” She scoffed.

She seemed so downtrodden, so discouraged, that I had to say something.

“It may not seem like it now,” I said. “And it may take some time. But I’m confident you’ll find happiness again.” With or without Logan—though, I didn’t say that.

She bit her lip as if to stem her tears. “I hope you’re right.”

I hugged her, holding her tight. “I know I am.”

If Jackson and I could find our way back together after all these years, anything was possible.

A few days later, Jackson and I had dropped Greer at the airport and were headed back to the hotel. We’d had a really nice visit, and I’d loved spending time both just with Greer and with Jackson and Greer. It was such a relief that she knew about us. That she supported our relationship and seemed genuinely happy for us despite what was going on in her marriage. Part of me almost wished I’d told her sooner, but I was just glad it had all worked out in the end.

“One sibling down.” I blew out a breath. “Four to go.”

“Sloan,” Jackson chided. “We told Greer, and it went great. Trust your family to be just as supportive.”

Maybe he was right. Nate had been supportive when I’d spoken to him about it a few weeks ago. But still…

“Mm,” I mused. “You don’t know them. And they don’t know you. I suppose Nate does, sort of. But I’m not sure that counts.”

“Then let them get to know me. You’re probably not going to like this idea, but we could cut our trip a little short to spend some time in LA with them.”

I jerked my head back. “You’d give up sailing alone in paradise with me to spend time getting to know my family?”

“I’d love to say that’s my only motivation, but it would mean my assignment would be over and…”

“We could finally have sex,” I said, connecting the dots, growing excited at the prospect. “I like the way you think.”

“Yeah?” He looked over at me and grinned.

“Yeah.” So much passed between us in that brief unspoken moment before he returned his attention to the road.

“I’m happy to continue our trip, or cut it short and spend time with your family. But only if that’s what you want,” he said. “I want to be part of your life. I know how protective they are of you, and I want them to trust me. To realize how happy we are together.”

I smiled, beyond happy. “I suppose if we went to LA, you could meet the board in person, and we could disclose our relationship,” I said, cataloging the merits of the idea beyond just sex. Though, sex with Jackson in and of itself was more than enough motivation.

“Exactly.” He smirked, inching his hand higher up my thigh.

He teased the edge of my panties and groaned. “God, Sloan. These past few weeks have been torture.”

“I know,” I gasped, wishing he’d touch me. “I thought I’d never want this trip to end, but strangely, I find myself eager to return home.”

He chuckled. “So am I, hayati. So am I.”

He slid his hand toward my knee, a safer distance from where I needed him. My body was still wound tight with tension, but I tried to focus on something else. “And if we went back to LA, we could spend time with Brooklyn.”

Brooklyn made me think of Jackson’s niece and nephew. About divorce and about Greer. I sighed and stared out the window. “Do you think Greer will be okay?”

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