Page 64 of Crossroads of Love

I chuckle and shut the door behind her. “You always do.”

“Damn right. Now, where are the glasses? I’m ready to get this night started.”

She drops the chips on the counter and starts rummaging through my cabinets.

I pull two margarita glasses down and hand them to her. “You know, you could’ve texted me, and I’d have them ready.”

“Where’s the fun in that? I like invading your space. Besides, I need to make sure you’re doing this right. No shortcuts tonight, Lena.”

As I watch her expertly mix the drinks, I lean against the counter, feeling a little more relaxed than I have in days.

“Was Jayla excited about the sleepover?”

“She was so stoked, practically bouncing out the door.”

Tatum laughs. “Good. You need this time for yourself. And I think you know why.”

She pours the drinks and hands one to me before taking a long sip of her own. Her eyes are on me, watching closely.

“I do. I think she needed the time, too.”

“How are you feeling after the two of you talked this morning?”

“Good. She seemed remorseful like she knew what she did was wrong and how bad that decision could have gone.”

“She’s a great kid. You’ve done an amazing job with her. You handled it better than most people. Certainly better than our parents ever would have.”

“If it weren’t for Gavin, I don’t think I would have. He was so level-headed and insightful with everything. Aaron would have lost it on her, arrested the people she got the alcohol from, and made a public display of her punishment for the town to see he didn’t put up with disobedience, you know?”

“I’m aware.” She coughs as she shakes her head disgustedly. “You and Gavin make a good team. How’s it going with him?”

Before answering, I sip my margarita, savoring the mix of tart lime and sweet tequila. “It’s…nice.”

“Nice? You’re gonna have to give me more than that. What’s it like having him back in your life?”

I run my finger along the rim of my glass, thinking. “We fight sometimes, like, old habits, you know? But it’s different now. It’s like he sees me… really sees me. He’s there, present. He’s not on his cell phone the entire time. He brought breakfast the other morning and then pizza. It’s nice to have someone just know that I don’t want to cook. I’ve never had that before. Not in the same way.”

She is silent for a moment, just watching me, and I can see the gears turning in her head. She isn’t going to let me get away with vague answers.

“But?”

I sigh, setting the glass down. “But it feels wrong sometimes. Like having any feelings for Gavin feels like a betrayal to Aaron. I mean, I was married to him for years. That kind of loyalty doesn’t just disappear.”

“Bullshit.”

I blink, surprised by her tone. “Excuse me?”

“Bullshit, Lena. Aaron betrayed your marriage first, not you. You were always loyal, and he wasn’t. You don’t get to sit here and guilt-trip yourself now that he’s gone.”

I shake my head, trying to explain. “We worked through it. People make mistakes.”

Her expression softens for a second, but her voice stays steady. “One time or a hundred, it doesn’t matter.Youdidn’t cheat.Youdidn’t walk away.Hedid. And I don’t think you’ve been honest with yourself about what your marriage really was. It’s like when he died, you started forcing yourself to believe all the lies about what a great man he was.”

I open my mouth to defend Aaron again, but she cuts me off. I bite the inside of my lip as I try to force down my emotions.

She’s right, and that hurts.

“I didn’t mean it like that. He wasn’t perfect, and he had his demons like everyone else. It’s okay to portray the perfect husband and doting father to the rest of the world, but you and Jayla both know that wasn’t reality. Lena, you have to be real with yourself. Aaron was hardly ever home, always working, unreachable half the time. You raised Jayla alone while he was off doing God knows what.”

---