Page 105 of My Wife
“Yeah. I’m suddenly tired.” Her yawn makes me think of a sleepy kitten.
Her burst of energy followed by a crash reminds me of when the kid used to sneak into the cookie jar, get super hyper, and then quickly flame out. At least she’s not having a temper tantrum.
I manage to get her back to the hotel, but by the time we’re in the elevator, she’s a limp noodle so I scoop her into my arms, bridal-carry style and hope she’s exhausted enough not to notice. Don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.
In her room, I slip off her high heels as she nestles into the pillows. I check her forehead, but she’s a normal temperature. Maybe the insomnia is catching up, or it’s altitude sickness from the bubbly—even the little bit she had can affect a person who’s not used to this elevation. I set a glass of water next to the bed and look at her for a long moment.
Her lashes brush her cheeks and not a wrinkle forms across her forehead. Her mouth is slack, but she’s not frowning. It’s a rare moment, not to see her smiling, and I suddenly long for it with an inner tug that almost scares me.
I contemplate kissing her on the cheek. I don’t know what I was thinking last night on the balcony. Thankfully, a conversation about the kiss didn’t come up and we both casually ignored it. Or maybe it was all in my puck-addled mind.
I’m about to leave when Jessica’s arm shoots out and flops onto the bed. Eyes closed and voice muddled, she says, “Sing me a lullaby?”
I could pretend I don’t hear, but instead ask, “Huh?”
“Just for a minute.”
“Yeah, sure.” I sit on the edge of the bed because it would be awkward to stand and sing a lullaby, looming over Jessica. Not that I know anything about lullabies, but I cannot deny this woman.
She grips the edge of my tux jacket and with surprising strength for being half asleep, tugs me toward her.
“Just a quick snuggle.”
We’re both fully dressed and I wrap my arms around her, little spoon and big spoon. She curls into me, sighs, and soon breathes softly.
I’m sure she’s asleep, but she told me to say all the things, so I do. “Don’t fall for me. I’m bad. Bad for you. Bad for everyone.” I’m the worst.
I must doze off because my thoughts turn to the awful winter night when the car went off the road and it was too late for me to do anything about it.
28
JESS
It’s officiallyspring and I have all the windows in the loft open. While KJ naps, I tell myself I’ll look for new jobs. That was my plan and I have to stick to it.
Despite getting woozy and sleepy, Denver seemed like a nice enough place. Plus, Colorado is a square state like Nebraska. I open a tab to look for jobs when my finger slips and I wind up at #MrDarcysAbs.
Whoopsie.
I mean, I could just look at them in real life, but don’t want to let Grandma Dolly down. She, um, makes sure I stay up to date on these things.
My phone beeps and I jump, afraid I’ve somehow been caught. But the message is from an unknown number. I skim the text and my stomach knots.
Just then, Liam enters the room, face stormy. “There’s something we need to discuss.”
I throw my phone like it might explode, yet it already feels like a grenade went off. “What do you mean? I updated the protein powder delivery and canceled that streaming service you weren’t using.”
He paces and rakes his hand through his hair. “More like I have a problem and you’re kind of collateral damage.”
“What?” I ask, not liking the way that sounds.
“My lawyer finally got back to me about the screenshot Pam sent.”
“Pamberlie?”
Liam nods. “I never knew her full name until I got custody.”
“Why wouldn’t she have told you she has a kid?”
