Page 41 of Love You Madly

Me:

You’re a shameless flirt, you know that?

Owen:

Yeah, my ex-wife mentioned that once or twice.

That thought makes me cringe and I cannot help but hope that’s something she said to him after they split up. Please don’t start collecting red flags…

Owen:

And no, I didn’t cheat on her.

Oh, thank God.

I exhale a breath, relief flooding through me like a tidal wave. But there’s a knot in my stomach that won’t quite untangle. My mind flashes to Adam–every lie, every brokenpromise. I swallow the familiar bitterness that threatens to rise. Owen doesn’t deserve to be punished for my past. Yet, my guard comes up reflexively, an instinct I can’t shake.

Me:

Am I that transparent? Sorry, cheating is a sore subject for me. My husband was less than faithful throughout our entire marriage.

I hesitate, the weight of the truth heavy in my chest. Saying it out loud feels raw, exposing a wound that still hasn’t healed.

Me:

Sorry, ex-husband. Or soon-to-be. I don’t really even know what to call him.

Owen:

Asshole?

I let out a startled laugh, the tension breaking for just a second.

Me:

That works!

Owen:

So… about that game… Wanna play? It would be like “Truth or Dare,” without the dares.

Me:

Good. I’m definitely not in the mood for dares anyway. Last thing I need is to end up having to run around the yard naked or something.

Owen:

Now, when you put it that way…

Me:

Nice try but not a chance. Okay, I’ll go first. Sticking with the music theme, I’ve gotta know… Do you sing in the shower?

Owen:

I might, but only when the house is empty. My singing is a solo act for a reason.

I laugh out loud, picturing him—beard lathered up, belting out some Tupac or Biggie based on what he told me about his music taste. The mental image is both hilarious and oddly endearing.

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