Page 45 of Embracing the Change

Good God.

My poor Jamie.

I put my hand in my lap and decided just to listen to him.

It was a mistake.

“You don’t want to discuss this now?” he taunted.

“I’m giving you the chance to say what you need to say.”

“No, Nora. I’m saying what you need to hear. You were stunning that night.”

I sucked in an unladylike breath in an effort to cool the warmth that created in me.

“Belinda was covered in vomit, and you looked like Vogue styled the candid shot they took that evening that made it to the society pages.”

“All right,” I said hesitantly when he didn’t go on.

“And he cheated on you?” Jamie demanded. “Repeatedly?”

“I’m not going to defend Roland, but there’s more to a woman than being photogenic and having stylish taste in evening gowns.”

“I know, and I met that ‘more’ that night in all you did for Belinda and me.”

Lord.

“And again, when you got Dru her roses when she was forced to say goodbye to her mother.”

This had to end.

I was going to start weeping.

“And again, when you came to my house and got my head straight about the gifts my dead wife left me and how I needed to stop thinking like an ass and get on with it.”

I had to put a stop to this.

“I don’t?—”

That was as far as I got.

“So no. Fuck no, baby,” he growled. “He doesn’t get to shit all over you and then take a goddamned second more of your time unless it has to do with your children.”

I pressed my lips together.

“Now, am I clear?” he asked.

“You’re clear, darling,” I whispered.

“Good,” he bit off. “So what movie are we watching?”

I had the insane desire to burst out laughing.

Mercifully, I did not.

“You pick today. I’ll pick tomorrow,” I proposed.

He turned back to his plate and muttered, “Barbie. I’ve been meaning to see it, but I haven’t had the opportunity yet. And I know you want to see it too.”

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