Page 7 of His Weekend Wife

How had his life turned to shit? He’d rebuked his father’s meaningless relationships, and now Declan was following in the same footsteps. What he feared most in life was that he would die, just as his father did, alone and heartbroken. Frustration charged his veins. “The answer is no, Todd. I haven’t met a woman in a long time that made me crave conversation.”

“When you do, find one that sparks something in your brain as well as behind your zipper, you’ll be turned upside down.”

“If there is someone out there like that for me.” A second time.

“In good time, sir. Now, in the meantime, what are your thoughts on the escort service?”

Declan shook his head and smiled. “You never cease to surprise me, Todd. Did you also hook my father up with Miss Rox?”

“What are you suggesting?”

“That my father had needs too.”

“Of course not!”

“Come on, my friend. I’m not a kid anymore. We all know Father had his evermore desires for the fairer sex. Miss Rox was the lady who showed up at the funeral, wasn’t she?”

After only a slight pause, the man nodded. “She was. Your father and Miss Rox had a working friendship. I should never have mentioned the option.”

“Actually, the escort service might be the only option. I only need someone for false pretenses, not to warm my bed.” He had a good idea how the services worked, but he wouldn’t be partaking in the fringe benefits of the agreement.

“May I be blunt, sir?”

“When have you ever asked?”

“I often wondered if your fear of commitment was not because of the commitment itself, but the doubt you have in your capability. Son, we all doubt our capability of loving wholeheartedly and failing those who love us most. People fail and they learn from their mistakes. If you spend too much time meddling through the past, you’ll never have the pleasure of finding the future.”

“Is that so?”

He nodded. “I knew your father well, Declan.” The only time the man used Declan’s Christian name was when a lecture was about to unfold. “His love for you and your sister and brothers has never been up for debate. I think we could all agree that your father could be aloof and preoccupied at times, but he wanted you and your brothers to continue what he started—to continue the legacy.”

“I know you and my father were friends. I only wish I could say the same about my relationship with him. Sometimes I feel like I barely knew him.” Declan chuckled, but it was cold, even to his own ears, and by Todd’s scowl, he caught the bitterness also.

“Your options are thin. May I point out that whomever you decide to utilize for this marriage, she must be discreet.”

Declan rolled Todd’s words around. “As dire as my situation is, I don’t want to hire an escort.”

Todd nodded. “Have you considered…” he hesitated. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything.”

“Too late. You already did.”

“You prefer not to discuss her, but have you thought of asking your real wife to pose as, well, your wife?”

Declan laughed. “Have you lost your mind, my friend?”

Todd shrugged a lean shoulder. “Just offering advice, sir.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Declan gritted his teeth. “That’s not an option.” Ash was gone and never coming back.

His assistant looked genuinely concerned about him. “Again, I might be crossing a line”

“That hasn’t stopped you before.”

“True. There must be a reason why you haven’t started divorce proceedings.”

The same question had crossed his mind repeatedly. Several times he’d made plans to call his attorney, but those plans were thwarted. At first, he had wondered if she’d come back. After the third year, he realized that his hopes were a pipe dream. He no longer understood why he hadn’t made steps toward closure. “I have no clue where she is.”

“You could have hired a private detective to find her.” Todd eased back into the chair, his gaze pensive on Declan. “I must say, I did wonder what happened between you and her. A year of marriage is still in the honeymoon stage.”

Declan swiped his hand down his face. “We were young—too young for marriage. End of story.”

“Yes, sir.” Todd stood, straightened his jacket and rounded the table. He stopped next to Declan and laid a firm hand on his shoulder. “You have a few weeks to figure things out. I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” Then he was gone.

Growing up without his mother, Declan had never known how relationships worked, nor had he seen two people argue and work out their differences. He’d had a watered-down idea of what a relationship looked like—people married for money and companionship, until he met his wife. He’d ended up in a diner late one night and she was the waitress. She wasn’t his usual leggy-blonde type who wouldn’t be caught dead eating in anything less than a fine dining establishment, let alone working there. But Ash was different, a breath of fresh air to his pre-conceived notions about relationships and desire. Normally when a Knight flashed his smile, they had a flock of females falling at their feet, but Ash proved a set of dimples and a large tip didn’t persuade her. Taken back by her reserve, and her classic beauty, he’d gone back to the same diner every night for a week until he’d finally convinced her to go out on a date with him.

He’d given her the choice of any restaurant. He’d been flabbergasted when she’d chosen a quaint, pizza shop on the corner. She loved their specialty pies loaded with five cheeses.

He’d fallen for her almost immediately. Not only had he admired her independent, spirited nature and her infectious smile, but she didn’t give one hoot about his fancy car or how much money he had in his bank account. That’s why he’d asked her to marry him two weeks into dating—and she’d said “yes”. He sighed heavily remembering how ridiculous his hopes had been when it came to Ash. He’d had elaborate dreams of them having children together. Living a perfect life as man and wife. He’d loved her more than he’d ever loved anyone. Trusted her with his heart and soul. And that was his ultimate demise. He’d trusted her to be there when he needed her most, but instead, she’d chosen someone else who she thought needed her more—her sister who was always in trouble.

Blowing out a forced breath, he stood and strolled upstairs to his bedroom. Sleep was the best thing for him. Sometimes it was the only solace he got from the demons inside.

---