Page 21 of The Marriage Sham
Chapter Twelve
Fen
Savannah, Georgia
Iwake up first, the sun just starting to stream in from behind the long curtains over the windows. When I realize where I am, and what I’m holding on to, I go still, not wanting to wake up Frances and face her ire. I don’t know what got into her last night, but I made the decision to just give her some space. I really was fine sleeping on the couch, so I don’t know what made her offer up to share the bed.
But I’m thankful for it, whatever ‘it’ is.
Because right now, my arms are wrapped around Frances, and her head is on my chest, with her hand lying on my stomach, her leg wrapped around mine. My heart rate speeds up, and I hope the thundering in her ear doesn’t wake her up prematurely. I need a few more minutes to savor the feel of her next to me. To memorize how it feels to wake up next to a beautiful woman instead of alone. It’s been way too long since I felt this, and long enough to make me crave it again.
Before I’ve had nearly enough time to soak it all in, she stirs, raising her head and seeing who she’s laying on. Her eyes are soft and unfocused, her hair a tangled mess around her face. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman, and it hits me that I’m married to her. She’s my wife.
Yes, it may be a marriage with a built-in expiration date, but for the first time I realize that it doesn’t have to. That I don’t want it to. Not really. Not at all.
“Good morning.” I smile at her, seeing as if for the first time what could be. Everything looks different this morning. Or maybe it’s just because I need my glasses, who knows?
“Morning.” Her eyes brighten, and she surprises me by laying her head back down on my chest and squeezing my waist with her arm. “Thank you for this trip, Fen. I’m sorry I threw a hissy fit last night. I appreciate you, I really do.”
I huff out a laugh, glad she’s not mad anymore, and even more so that she hasn’t removed her thigh from my leg. “I’m sure you were just tired. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and I think you’re doing great. You ready to have more fun today?”
She nods, her cheek rubbing against my chest as she moves. Before I can second-guess myself or her reaction, I lean down and kiss the top of her head. She stills but doesn’t pull away.
“Thought we could drive out to Tybee Island and spend the day on the coast. Sound good?”
Frances pushes up, sliding her leg off mine before sliding out of bed. “Sounds awesome. Let me go take a shower first, okay?”
I can’t even form words. I just nod my head as I watch her walk to the armoire and then the bathroom, her pajamas a wrinkled mess and her skin glowing. An idea is forming in my head, and I can’t seem to find an objection.
I went into this marriage to help out an old friend. But now?
Now I want more.
So the rest of this trip is now a mission to make Francie mine.
For real this time.
* * *
I supposeI’ll have to thank Betty when we get back to Love. She bashed my clothing choices, so I went out and got a whole new wardrobe before Francie and I left for Savannah. And if the way Francie is looking at me when she thinks I don’t notice is any indication, the new clothes are working for me.
We spread out our towels the minute we hit the beach, finding a patch of soft sand to relax on and watch the waves. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a day at the beach hearing the waves hit the shoreline.
“Do you like the beach, Francie?” She’s rubbing sunblock all over her body, and I find myself mesmerized.
She shrugs. “Yeah, it’s nice.”
“Well, there’s a ringing endorsement,” I answer wryly. “What places do you love to go? Where you instantly relax and feel at home?”
She glances at me, and I grab the sunblock bottle to squirt some on her back, ready to get my hands on her any way I can. “Honestly? I love the big city. I like the energy. I never feel alone. There’s always something going on. I know that’s not most people’s answer, but I’ve made a home for myself in Atlanta.”
My hands pause mid-swipe, the lotion slowly dripping down her back. “So when Earl is taking a stroll with Jesus, are you planning to go back to Atlanta?” I’m sure she is, but I have to hear it. Have to know if I have a chance of winning her over and keeping her with me in Love.
She stares straight ahead at the water. “I don’t really want to think about that, Fen. Far as I’m willing to bet, Granddaddy’s gonna live forever.”
The ominous tick of a timer begins its beat in my head, and I know I only have so much time to convince her to stay. I know she’ll run. She ran to Atlanta right after high school without a backward glance. Once Earl’s gone, there’s nothing to keep her here.
At least not yet.
