Page 87 of Bewitched & Bewildered
I’ve been waiting for Vanessa’s apology for a year. It never comes, and I don’t expect this to be any different.
“You’re joking.” I cross my arms.
Maybe she expects me to say something more, but I don’t. I let the awkward silence permeate the tiny space and pray someone comes to interrupt. I would rather mope about Juniper leaving than stay in this room with Vanessa for another second.
“I should have given us another chance,” she says. “I can’t believe I gave up on you so easily.”
I blink. “What?”
“I found Otis because you were always working—but I can tell you’re different now.”
“I’m not.” I inhale through my teeth. “I’m still working a lot. Too bad.”
“This is different. You’re doing something you care about. Before, you were working for a company you didn’t even support. You were in a dreadful mood every time we were together. Now…”
I shake my head. I cannot believe she’s trying to blamemefor our failed marriage. “Now, I’m in an even worse mood when we’re together.”
“No. You’ve changed.” She scowls. “I’ve changed. We can make it work this time.”
I look up at the ceiling. Which deity is testing me?
“What about Otis?” I ask.
“I never cared about Otis. He was a fun distraction, but you…you’re my husband.”
“I’m not. Not anymore.”
It’s too late. If there was a chance of us repairing our relationship, it’s long gone. It goes further than cheating. Vanessa never wanted to try to work through our problems. She didn’t say any of this until we signed the divorce papers; now it’s too late.
There’s another reason she’s here. Juniper comes to mind, and I know this is jealousy or possessiveness. I don’t want Vanessa to feel those things for me. Not anymore.
Juniper is also why I can’t fathom listening to Vanessa. Going back to my ex may not hurt her, but I won’t risk doing anything that may.
“Give me another chance,” she says. “Please?”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
She winces. “You don’t love me anymore?”
I swallow thickly. “No. I don’t. I’m sorry.”
“You’re hurt, but we can talk it through?—”
“I can’t forgive you. I already moved on, and you moved on. It’s over. I live in a completely different state now.”
“You can open a new shop in Boston.”
“Don’t you see?” I finally let out the sigh I’ve been holding back. “I came this far to get away fromyou.”
She flinches.
“I don’t want to go back to Boston, and I don’t want to open a new shop. I’m not happy here because I’vechangedlike you keep saying. Believe it or not, I’m still the same person. I’m happy here because I’mhappy—or trying to be.”
“Why couldn’t you try to be happy with me?”
