Page 34 of The Amendment

“We do—”

“That’s not how they see it. A year or two ago, Maisy would’ve told us about this decision. Now she didn’t feel like she could. I’m not saying that’s entirely our fault, but now that we know about it, we have to do what we can to fix it.”

He contemplated what I’d said, twisting his mouth in thought. “Alright, fine,” he said eventually, “but what are you suggesting?”

I was sick from the struggle within me—trying to make sure he understood the severity of the situation while trying not to overreact. “I’m not going to push her tonight, but this is even more reason why we need this trip to the cabin this weekend. We need to remind the kids we’re there for them, no matter what. Agreed?”

“Yeah, agreed.” His response was halfhearted, but I’d take it.

“We have to keep communication open between us. All of us. Secrets, lies, unspoken truths…they’ll all come back to bite us if we aren’t careful. If we can’t trust this family, if they can’t trust us, then what are we even doing?” I drilled home the last part, hoping he’d realize it was meant for him as much as it was for them.

He chuckled, though, not taking it nearly as seriously as I’d meant it. “They can trust us, babe. They know they can. And you can trust me.”

So, maybe he had understood.

My lips pressed together in what should’ve been a smile but felt more like a grimace. Still, he took it and turned to walk away, ruby red splotches on his neck.

Another lie.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PETER

I’d never understood people who claimed fresh air brought them peace. For me, there was nothing more stressful than the moment I traded cell phone service for biting insects and blistering heat.

I much preferred the beach trips we’d once taken over the secluded lake house Ainsley had forced us to fork over our life savings to buy years ago. Even then, I’d known we’d never get much use out of it and, truth be told, we’d probably gotten even less than I’d imagined.

But still, if leaving town meant Ainsley was happy for a few hours, I’d suffer through.

We arrived at the lake house just past noon, when the temperature was sweltering and we had to wear the humidity like a coat. The old house’s air conditioning unit hummed loudly when Ainsley turned it on, dust flying from its vents.

“It’ll just take a bit to cool off,” she said, pulling her shirt away from her chest rapidly to fan herself.

The kids spread out, complaining as much as I wantedto about the heat and the bugs and the smell. Instead, I moved to stand next to her, slipping a hand around her damp waist.

“Come on, guys, it’ll be fun. We can go down for a swim while the place cools off. What do you say?”

Maisy was the first to respond. “Okay.”

“Anything to get out of here,” Riley agreed, panting.

“I’m going to change into my suit.” Dylan dropped his luggage on the dusty couch and began riffling through the bag in search of his swimming trunks.

“What doyousay?” I asked, leaning into Ainsley’s hair so close I could breathe in her jasmine scent.

“Sounds good to me,” she agreed. She slipped out of my grasp and approached Maisy to ask her, “Can you help me pick out which suit to wear?”

Maisy’s eyes lit up at the opportunity, and they disappeared down the hall together, bags in tow.

I was sure Ainsley hadn’t meant for it to feel like a snub, but it had. She’d been strange with me since the night Jim had visited, but I didn’t understand why. I’d given her a reasonable explanation as to why he was there.

As I pondered what could be wrong, I lugged my own bag to the bedroom Ainsley and I would share and pulled on my trunks and a T-shirt, examining myself in the mirror.

After everything that happened with Stefan, all the truths coming out about our arrangement and how hard she’d worked to keep me, we’d been at our best.

Something about the ferocity with which she’d foughtfor me had awakened a hunger in me. A desire for her like I’d never felt before.

For a while, we were more in love than we’d ever been.

---