Page 45 of Only Forever

I sat down and started eating as well. “I’m serious. You should stay longer. Maybe it’ll be good for you and Gareth to have some space from each other.”

Chloe’s expression darkened at the sound of her husband’s name, and I cursed myself for bringing him up. She had looked almost happy until I mentioned him.

“Work is crazy for me right now,” Chloe answered as she buttered her toast. “I could barely get away this weekend as it was. I had to juggle a lot of showings to other agents, but I know some of my clients aren’t going to be happy that I’m not there.”

“Are you okay going back home tomorrow?” I asked. Chloe had seemed to be so deeply hurt and in pain last night. I didn’t know if she would be okay being in the same house as Gareth.

Chloe sighed. “I have to be. Gareth was upset when I told him I was leaving for the weekend. He wants to talk things out but I just need to think for a while. My friend, Jenny, said I could stay with her and she’s just ten minutes away from my office. Maybe I’ll take her up on the offer.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said. “Maybe Gareth will come to his senses when he realizes he’s in danger of losing the most amazing, fantastic, beautiful and funny girl in the world.”

Chloe laughed at my description of her. “I’m not sure if I would go that far, but thanks.” She raised her eyebrows. “Not to change the subject, but what the heck is going on between you and Jason?”

I explained to Chloe everything that had happened, minus the threatening letters I had received. It felt good to have someone to talk to about what was happening between me and Jason, and it was also a good way to get Chloe’s mind off her troubles.

“I knew there had to be a reason why Jason didn’t come after your mom and stepfather passed away,” Chloe exclaimed. “I just didn’t think it was a possibility that he wouldn’t know about it, since his family was still living in Hyattsville at that time.”

“It probably all worked out for the best,” I said, even though I knew that was a lie. Maybe things would have been different if Jason had been there. Maybe I wouldn’t have become a prisonerin my own home. But I shook the thought away. It was in the past.

“Are you guys officially back together now?” Chloe asked. “What’s going to happen after he sells the family house?”

“We’re purposely not discussing the future,” I explained. “We’re just taking it day by day. And Jason said he’s not even sure if he wants to sell the family house.”

“Well, whatever you guys are, I’m happy for you.” Chloe paused before continuing. “Is he okay with you not leaving the house?”

“He says he is, but I’m sure he’ll get frustrated with me at some point.” I frowned. “I wouldn’t blame him. Who wants to be stuck inside all the time?”

“Maybe this will be a way for you to venture out,” Chloe suggested, her voice tentative. She was used to me shooting down her ideas of going outside the house, and admittedly, she was oftentimes met with anger for her good intentions.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I loved Chloe, but she didn’t understand that it wasn’t just a decision for me to make. I had made attempts in the past, but I physically couldn’t do it. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest, and I felt like I was going to have a panic attack just at the thought of trying to step outside my door. It was a blinding fear that reason didn’t work on.

“We’ll see,” I said weakly. I didn’t want to rehash it all out with Chloe. I had tried to explain to her so many times why it was so hard for me, but I didn’t blame her for not understanding. I didn’t really understand it myself.

It was another beautiful day, and we spent the afternoon day-drinking in the backyard, listening to music and reminiscing about our school days. Chloe still kept in touch with Tracy and Monica, and she told me about how Tracy had become a doctorand was living in California. Monica was a mom of four living in Boston, and had a booming cake decorating business.

Before we knew it, it was getting dark, so we headed inside and ordered delivery for dinner. We split another bottle of wine over dinner, and by the time we were done eating, we were both way too drunk for our own good, but we were happy. We decided to watch a classic,Sixteen Candles,but we were falling asleep a few minutes into the movie, so we called it a night and went to bed. My last thoughts before drifting to sleep was the hope that Chloe was able to get a break from her troubles, and that I had really missed her.

The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee. When I went downstairs, Chloe was in the kitchen, flipping pancakes at the stove.

“Morning,” she said cheerfully. She waved towards the coffee maker with the spatula. “Coffee’s fresh.”

“I can’t believe you’re up already and making pancakes,” I said, walking over to pour myself a cup with a heavy splash of cream. “My head is killing me from all the wine we drank yesterday.”

Chloe scoffed as she added a pancake to the stack on the plate next to the stove. “You’re a lightweight. That was nothing.” She grinned at me over her shoulder. “One of these days, you have to come to Florida, and I’ll show you what it really means to drink and party. The nightlife there is insane.”

“I’m too old for that now,” I joked. I also knew that there was little chance I’d make it to Florida. Hell, there was little chance I’d make it down the street, let alone another state. But I didn’t want to dampen the mood.

“Thanks for making breakfast,” I said, as we plated our food. Chloe had made bacon along with the pancakes, and we dug in.

“I wish you could stay longer,” I said, frowning a bit. “You just got here and you’re already leaving.”

“I know,” Chloe said with a dissatisfied grunt. “If only I were independently wealthy and could spend my time traveling the world.” She frowned as she stabbed a piece of bacon with her fork. “Instead, I have to go back to a mountain of work and a scoundrel husband.”

Chloe smiled like she was trying to make light of her comment, but her trembling lips gave her away.”

“Oh, Chloe,” I said, putting down my fork. My heart felt heavy for her. “What are you going to do?”

She shook her head, putting down her fork as well. “I have no idea. We’ll see what Gareth has to say when I get back home.” She sighed heavily. “I told him I wanted some space and to not contact me while I was here. I know that I should be happy that he followed my request, but he didn’t even send me a text to see if I arrived okay.” Her expression darkened. “Maybe he’s too busy back home withotherthings.”

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