Page 38 of Wild Ever After
Chapter Seven
“I don’t remember the last time it rained all weekend like this,” Bella said, standing at the hotel room window.
It wasn’t a heavy rain, just a drizzle really, but enough of one that they’d be best taking her car from the garage and driving the few blocks down to Pat’s rather than walk.
Harry stepped up behind her.
Their reflections momentarily stunned her.
She felt half her age this morning, but looking at them, they were exactly the ages they were supposed to be.
She was forty-eight. He was forty-nine. They’d aged, both physically and emotionally and in some ways, mentally. She had a few strands of white and silver in her normally dark hair. She also had lines around her eyes and mouth to match those of her husband.
He stood a head taller than her. It was a feature she loved. She liked feeling physically small in his presence; liked feeling protected and looked after.
“Are you really sure you want to do this? We don’t have to go.”
“I’m sure. I know I likely don’t have the greatest of reputations with your friends. I would venture to guess that they did somewhat keep up with what was happening with me, even if you didn’t. Especially Will.”
“He’s never said anything.”
“Doesn’t mean he didn’t read the papers.” He had a point, but then, he always did have one. Even when the conversation seemed inane, Harry Walker always had a point. “Besides, I called Riley while you were sleeping yesterday to tell her I wouldn’t be coming back to the apartment and the couch, and I invited her along. I figured it would help to have someone else on my side. Or at least it couldn’t hurt.”
“How’d she take the news?”
“What news?”
“That we plan to reconcile?”
“I didn’t tell her.”
Bella turned to face her husband. “You didn’t tell her we were going to get back together?”
“No.”
“Why not?” She was genuinely confused. “I thought this was what you wanted.”
“More than anything.”
“Then why wouldn’t you tell her?”
“I thought we’d tell them together and tell the three of them at the same time. They’ll have questions that we’ll need to answer. I want to do this right. Despite what happened in this room the last day, I don’t want to push or rush you.”
“Thank you for that, but there is no push or rush. I’ve missed you and as soon as we can make things happen, the happier I’ll be.”
“Then we’ll gather them as soon as possible. Noah is golfing. I have no idea what Aaron is doing. I had to leave him a voicemail. And Riley… She’ll know something is up.”
“Yes.”
Harry slid his hand behind her neck and she went to him before he had the chance to pull her in. She couldn’t resist this man with the gray eyes and distinguished, though reckless appearance. He hadn’t shaved and the clothes he’d worn the day before were the same ones he wore now, though the hotel had laundered them for him for a rather steep price.
“Thank you, Bella mine, for seeing me, talking to me, hearing me out, expressing yourself, allowing me to love you.”
“You didn’t give me much of a choice. I believe you threatened to pull me over your knees in the pub if I didn’t leave with you.”
“Threatened? Is that really how you saw it?”
“How was I supposed to see it?”
