Page 103 of One Last Time
Me: This is true, Mr. Bowman, and I appreciate you telling me everything about your past. I know we haven’t talked about the accident since that night, but I’m glad I found out fromyou.
Noah: You will always hear the truth from me first. It wasn’t easy telling you, but I wanted you to know about Tanya. I need to run. I love you,Kristin.
Me: I love you,too.
I put the phone down with a huge grin. I never in a million years thought I’d be in love like this. I didn’t know it even existed. Now, I don’t ever want to be withoutit.
“You’re as bad as Heathernow.”
“You’ll find a man who makes you feel like this, and then you’llunderstand.”
He’s out there. She just has to findhim.
She flips me off in typical Nicole fashion. “So I can be like you two? No thanks. Heather took a leave of absence to follow him around. You’re over here practically glowing from a text message, and I’m getting double time with twins . . . who is living thelife?”
As much as she likes to play the single and loving life card, I remember not all that long ago when she was broken. I take her hand in mine. “I love you, Nic. I think you’re the bravest woman I know. Not many could go through the hell you have and still be standing, but love isn’t a weapon. Real, true, honest love is precious and can heal the damage others have done. Don’t give up onit.”
The iron curtains she works so hard to hide behind shift, and I catch the pain in her eyes. As quickly as it appears, it’s gone. She pulls her hand back and looks away. “I’m better likethis.”
Nicole wants to be loved. No matter what she says, that need is engrained in us. It sucks that the one time she took a chance on it, it brokeher.
“You’re perfect no matter what,” I reassureher.
She nods. “Damn right. Now, let’s get your article written before you miss yourdeadline.”
I chewon my lip as I read through the final draft one more time. It’s due to Erica in the next thirty minutes, and I want it perfect. After I realize I can’t nuke it any more than I already have, I send the file and pray it doesn’tsuck.
“What is that, Mommy?” Aubrey asks as I press send on the email, handing the article off to myeditor.
“It’s my article aboutNoah.”
“I like Noah,” she tellsme.
I pull her on my lap and kiss her cheek. “Me,too.”
“He hasn’t fed my animals,though.”
“Because he’s not here,” Finn answers her as he walks in the living room. “Too bad Jillian doesn’t disappear likehim.”
He really hates her, and I know I can’t encourage his attitude, but I don’t blame him. Not because she deserves anything, but because her presence is making their visits awful. The more Finn pushes her hand, the worse it’llget.
“I know you don’t like her, but your dad is going to marryher.”
Finn huffs. “I hateher.”
“Why do you hate her,Finn?”
He looks at his feet. “Because I don’t know her! And Dad is just going to marry her? He’s supposed to loveyou!”
Oh, my sweet boy. I can’t imagine that there isn’t some small part of him that hopes for this grand reconciliation, but it’s never going to happen. “Hating Jillian isn’t going to make your father and I get back together, buddy. You will always have your dad, but he loves her, and she isn’t going anywhere.” Even if we’d all like to see her take a dip in a vat of battery acid. Nothing says asshole like enjoying being ahomewrecker.
Although, I’m sure it was all myfault.
I couldn’t keep him happy. I couldn’t keep the house the way he wanted. I was shitty in bed and all the other crap he probably said. Lucky for Scott, he had his assistant ready to service him and his tinypecker.
Of course, I don’t get to say any ofthat.
“Why does Daddy love her?” Aubrey asks, turning her head so she can seeme.
