Page 109 of A Chance for Us
“I’m not so sure. Why would you divorce him without talking to him first?”
I release a heavy sigh. “Because I love him.”
“Makes total sense. I would want to end the marriage to the man I love too.”
I shift my weight forward, needing to explain. “No, it does make sense. Oliver has always been the guy who was second choice.”
“Mare . . .”
“I know you didn’t think of him that way, but it’s how he feels. You left him to marry Sean, and no one is saying that was the wrong choice, but it is how it went down. Then there was the girl he was with before you guys met.”
Devney sits back. “I forgot about her.”
“He was engaged to her, I think.”
“But she met someone else . . .”
I nod. “Exactly. He told me how he didn’t want a relationship. He had no intention of falling in love again.”
“But he did, Maren. He fell in love with you. The fact that he was in Georgia for you proves that.”
“It does, which is why I have to do this.”
I have to give him up so I can prove to him that he’s my first choice. He needs to see that we are together because we love each other, not because of some mistakenly filed paperwork.
I want him to know that I love him. I want him. And we can take whatever time we need to get to know each other and be together.
Devney raises her glass to me. “Here’s to hoping it goes the way you want it to.”
I grab mine and tap it against hers. “I have a plan.”
She laughs before taking a sip. “And we see how well that went last time.”
This will be different. It’s being done the right way.
* * *
“When will I see you again?” I ask Oliver.
“Soon, I hope.”
“How is the issue at the resort?”
“Issue?” Oliver sounds confused. “Oh, the issue I had to leave for? Yeah, it’s being handled.”
I wipe a spot on the floor a little harder before plopping to my knees. Hearing his voice makes me eager to see him. I don’t want to waste time. It’s precious and goes far too quickly. What we have is worth making the effort for, so we’re both going to have to bend. I’m more than willing to go first.
“Good that you could help. I was thinking that I could come there this weekend?”
Oliver doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. “I’d like that, but I’m going to be working the front desk. I have to make up for the time my siblings filled in for me.”
“I can help,” I offer. “I may not know how to run a resort, but I’m sure I can answer the phones or whatever you need.”
“I’m good. We’ll get it figured out. Just stay there.”
“I don’t mind hanging out in your cabin while you work,” I tell him.
“If you’re here, I’ll want to be with you the whole time. We’ll see each other soon. Just not this weekend.”
