Page 52 of The Seven Month Itch
“Come on.” I release her arm and motion for her to go in. “You can let me have it inside.”
She struts in, but not before I catch an elbow. “Plan on it.” The juiciness of her backside hypnotizes me when she walks by. What were we talking about?
I close the door, toss my key card and wallet on the kitchen counter, and walk to the middle of the living area where she is. Her attention is on the view of the valley twinkling through the windows. It keeps her quiet, but not for long.
When she realizes I’m close, Justice snaps out of her thoughts to face me head-on. “I’m so angry, I can’t stand to look at you right now.” She starts to pace around the room. Wisdom tells me to keep my mouth shut until she’s had enough time to vent.
My eyes track her like a predator that has its sights on its prey. She refuses to look at me, but I expect nothing less. I cross my arms and lean against the wall next to the bar to wait it out.
Take your time, princess. We have all night.
“How long have you two been screwing?”
Not this again. I push off the wall. “There’s nothing between Madison and me. There never was.” I told myself to give Justice space to vent, but I refuse to let her work herself up with thoughts I was unfaithful in our marriage.
Fuck. That.
Her eyes roll. “Please. You two lookedsocozy last night when you had your tongue in her mouth. Just tell me the truth.”
“You want to know the truth?” I say through gritted teeth. My patience went out the window with her common sense. She takes two steps back on my approach. “There isnothingbetween Madison and me. I’ll admit I was a bit dense during our marriage.” Very fucking dense. “I didn’t see the signs you did, but Ineverstepped out on you, and I resent the fact you think I did.
“Have I wondered during this trip what things would be like if she and I got together? Sure, I’ll own up to that. But that’s because I thoughtyou”—I point at her—“wanted nothing to do with me. It felt good to be desired. I’m sorry, Jay. I wish I could take it back, but I can’t. I’m human.”
“I find it very hard to believe that in all the time we were together, and all the times you ran into Madison while you were away on ‘business,’ you two didn’t hook up. You’re both here—at asingles’ retreat—popping up at the same events and going at it like teenagers in a movie theater.”
“Jay, I fucked up! I’m sorry. I was lonely that night. I’ve been lonely for a long time, and she was there. We kissed, but we never had sex.”
This woman, this fucking irritating woman, could star in the sequel toCluelesswithout an audition. She’s the most gorgeous person I’ve ever met and has a heart of gold, and shestilldoesn’t recognize her value. If I believed in reincarnation, I’d come back as her self-esteem.
Nothing I say will get through to her. Even the truth.
“You really expect me to believe you two are just friends? The way you fisted her hair last night is a special definition offriendly.”
I couldn’t look more dumbfounded if I tried. Does Justice not remember thatshewas out with another man last night? I mumble a quick prayer in Spanish to keep my composure. “I hit a breaking point last night. I snapped.”
“Please, you wanted it!” She heads for the door.
Like hell she’s running. “No, I wanted you!” I turn her to face me. “You want to know why I was there yesterday?” She stills when I hold her face. My touch is soft, to comfort, not intimidate. “Because I was looking foryou. I didn’t know Madison would be there until I ran into her.”
For a moment, I think I did it. I finally got through to her. But the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth falters when she shrugs out of my embrace.
“Let me go, Terrence.” She opens the door, but I push it shut.
“No.”
I lean my forehead against hers and lower my voice for her heart to hear what her ears refuse. “I lost it when you walked into that theater with another man. That’s what triggered me—what wrecked me.” Her breath hitches. “The hurt I caused you is something I’ll regret for the rest of my life. Not just last night.” I close my eyes to push out what cuts into my throat like glass. “You had every right to leave me. I was too numb to recognize your pain. Please let me try to make things right.”
“I thought you didn’t care about me.” Her voice is so low I have to strain to hear it. “I thought you moved on, and I figured it was time for me to do the same.”
I frown. “Is that what you really think? I wasn’t the one who wanted to end our marriage.”
Her tear-filled eyes pierce mine. “I had no choice. You checked out a long time ago. All those business trips were an excuse to get far away from me.”
“That’s not true, Justice.”
Her voice cracks through a sob. “I needed you after our losses.” She shakes her head and steadies herself. “You weren’t there for me.” Months of hurt rip through her at once. The pain on her face is unbearable to see.
Icaused this.
