Page 21 of After Him, There Was You
“Do you have somebody besides Vivian?”
“No.”
“So, it’s not an open relationship. It’s more of she’s cheating on you, and you know about it.”
“Something like that.”
“No, it’s exactly like that.”
“It works for us, and I don’t want to fix what’s not broken.”
“Don’t play yourself. It works for her, and you’re going along with it. Trevor, I’m saying this as someone who genuinely loves you and cares about you, don’t sell yourself short. If she feels like she’s missing something and has to go find someone to fulfill whatever she feels like she’s missing, then let her go and do that without you,” I advised, trying not to get pissed off.
He deserved better, and it angered me to know he didn’t know his worth.
How dare she play with him like that, and how dare he let her?
“What should I do?” he asked as I checked my watch to gauge how much of my lunch I had left. What I thought was going to be a quick chat with my son’s father was easily turning into an impromptu therapy session, which I needed to bill his insurance company for.
“I can’t tell you what to do about your relationship, but what I can say is it couldn’t be me, and she should have never put you in this situation. You’re too good of a man not to have a woman be sure about you.”
Most people went into relationships with the understanding from the beginning it would be open, and it was something both parties were on board with, but the situation with Trevor and Vivian was far from that.
“I appreciate those words. I need them.”
“Don’t thank me because I will be sending an invoice to your insurance company. You need to be thanking them instead,” I teased, making him laugh.
I didn’t know where his mind and heart would go beyond our conversation, but I hoped my words got through to him and he realized his worth.
Chapter 10: Let Me Know – Zeke Simmons
A Week Later
It has to be my lucky day, I thought to myself as I saw her walking across the parking lot of Just Air, one of my shoe stores located throughout North Brooke Port.
“I had a feeling today was going to be a great day,” I greeted her, approaching her from behind.
As luck and strategic placement of my body would have it, when she turned to face me, she bumped directly into my chest. What I was sure she thought was an attempt of a smooth pickup line was the truth. I hadn’t been to the store in a week and the day I decided to come in and check on my staff, I happened to run into her.
“Zeke. Hey! How are you doing? I’ve been meaning to return your call, but I’ve been busy with work.”
“I don’t know if you’re lying for the sake of protecting my ego, or if you’re lying to deflect, but either way you’re lying,” I called out, making her giggle and smile which in turn showed off her deep-set dimples.
“No, it’s not like that, Zeke. I honestly have been busy. My sons are both signed up for soccer, so I’ve been running them to practice,” she sighed, rolling her eyes, blowing out an overwhelmed breath. “I go from work to practice and then home where I’m playing mommy, tutor, and chef. I really want to take you up on your offer, but life is a little chaotic for me right now.”
“It’s your world, I just want you to make time for me in it.” I sincerely stated, sizing her up, not hesitating to take notice of just how delectable she looked in her gray pin-striped pencil skirt, matching tailored blazer, and tall black heels that had her legs calling out to me to be licked like the aphrodisiac they were.
“My eyes are up here, Zeke,” Eva sassed, calling me on my bluff.
Allowing my eyes to enjoy the trip back to her face, I was met with a smile.
“I understand being a single parent, so you don’t have to explain.”
“You do?”
“Hell yes, I do. You didn’t know I had kids?”
“Kids?” she repeated as if she was questioning my use of the word.
