Page 47 of Succeeding Love

“I really messed up, though, sweetie.”

“Yeah,” her smile turned sheepish. “I forgave you for leaving. I’m sure they can too.”

Jessie was still right, or maybe I just am fool enough to believe that I can be forgiven still. I just need to show Fay that I’ve changed. I need to show her I’m sorry. All the mistakes that led up to our divorce, even before Arlene and the cheating. I need to show her I’m a changed man now.

Starting with being there for our kids.

I need to go to that damned game.

“Do you know the details about your brother’s baseball tournament?”

“I can look at the school’s website. They should have it under the athletics tab. Why?” Hope gleamed in her eyes.

I smiled softly. “Let’s leave the unpacking for Sunday. Pack a bag. We’re going to your brother’s game.”

Good Company

“Honey, I’m home!” she called out, and I heard the door closing loudly just after.

I was sitting in my office at home, rubbing my head from the stress of the past few days. The firm had just taken on a new client, and the case was proving to be difficult. More difficult than they originally led on. I’ve had my nose in law books for days and have gotten very little sleep. I didn’t even have the energy to answer her.

“I see you haven’t moved.” Fay popped her head into the doorway, looking at the stack of books on my desk. “The kids were safely handed off to Kate. She said she’ll bring them back after they get back from my parents. We have the week to ourselves!”

She had so much energy, and that triumphant glint in her eyes. Even though I was stressed and tired, I smiled tightly at her. “You should have gone too. I know you wanted to. I’m sorry I had to drop out.” We were all meant to go visit her family, but I just had too much to do here to take any time off.

“It’s not your fault.” She skipped into my office, coming around the back of my chair. I leaned back and groaned as her fingers kneaded into my stiff shoulders. “We can go anytime. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to get time alone with my husband.”

“I will not be very good company,” I sighed.

She giggled sweetly. “Are you ever?”

I scoffed, turning to look at her in offense, but then smirked, seeing that playful look on her face. She was teasing me. “I have my moments.”

“Really?” Her eyes narrowed in challenge. “Prove it.”

I looked back at my desk and the stack of papers I still had to review. “I wish I could.”

“Wish granted,” her tone was firm. She swiveled my chair around, then grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet.

“Where are we going?” I asked warily.

She looked back at me with that mischievous grin, leading me straight to our bedroom. I knew that look.

“Fay, I really have to get this case figured out.” If I lose this case, it will cost the firm a lot, and I could lose my job. That’s why I’ve been so stressed.

“You’ve been staring at the same page in that book for three hours now,” Fay said stubbornly. “What you need is to relax and refresh, then go back with a new set of eyes. Spend three hours with me, then turn the page.”

She was right. I had been re-reading the same lines repeatedly, but the words weren’t sinking in.

The moment we entered our bedroom, Fay pulled me towards the bed and undid the buttons on my shirt. I stared up at her beautiful face, clean of makeup or anything superficial. She was glowing naturally, and it warmed me instantly. Her presence was like the sun.

When she leaned down to kiss me, right before her lips touched mine, I murmured, “I love you, Fay.”

She smiled sadly at me, that glint in her eyes gone as moisture replaced it. SHe leaned in close, right next to my ear. “But you told me you were in love with someone else.”

Dread washed over me, making my inside freeze over. Suddenly, our comforting, warm bedroom, full of love and peace, was transformed into the sleek, cold one of Arlene’s. I used to think this apartment was high end and exciting. Now it fills me with nothing but contempt.

When she pulled away, it wasn’t my tiny, loving wife standing before me anymore, but the woman I chose over her. She had her signature confident smirk on her face, wearing one of her black robes that exposed most of her legs.

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