Page 83 of Between Now and Forever
“Why? Have you seen the mom? Is she not your type?”
He reaches for my hand and laces our fingers together. “I don’t need to see her to know she’s not my type.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because,” he says, staring at our connected palms, “I met this woman recently. And since then, she’s all I’ve been able to think about. Granted, sometimes it’s because she’s driving me nuts.”
I laugh, squeezing his hand in mine.
He smiles. “But she’s the only woman that’s caught my interest in a long damn time. Hell, I didn’t even want to be interested in her but couldn’t help myself.”
“She must be amazing.”
“She is. And every day we spend together, I hope there’s another one to follow. She saysshewants to live again.” His smile fades into the shy grin that melts my heart. “But I didn’t even realizeIwasn’t living until I met her.”
The bridge of my nose pinches like it does just before tears flood my eyes.How does he do that?His words touch me in a way he’ll never understand. It’s not only because I know this is difficult for him to share but also because he’s slowly proving to be the kind of man I was too scared to even dream about.
I was content in my marriage to Christopher. He was kind, responsible, and dependable. Loyal. He was an amazing father. We had great conversations and chose vacation spots with ease. I was proud to be his wife.
When he brought up divorce, despite knowing it was for the best, I was still crushed. I realized quickly that it wasn’t because I was losinghim, specifically, that was devastating, though. It was being married to a man who I thought had been the “perfect” husband, who didn’t want to fight for our marriage, that hurt.I wasn’t enough.And that he could let me go so easily.
Thatwas the point of my pain.
I’ve been scared to dream for something bigger than my marriage. I didn’t realize that I was doing it until meeting Jay. My sights have been set on finding someone to occupy space in my life. A man to make me feel less alone. I simply needed a seat filler, and the few men I dated after my divorce were just that.
But Jay?He could build the damn chair. And he’d do it with the very best wood and without missing a screw—no pun intended.
He’s slowly opening my eyes, and heart, to the possibility that I might have been shortchanging myself all these years. He’s showing me that a man can be my friend and my lover. There can be a roomful of people, and he can see onlyme.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, stroking his thumb over the top of my hand.
I force a swallow past the lump in my throat. “Nothing, really. I was just thinking that you’re pretty damn amazing too.”
“I—”
“Gabrielle? Is that you?” A woman I vaguely recognize from my high school home economics class pauses at our table. “I didn’t know you were home.”
Jay slides his hand from mine and winks at me.
“Yes. I’m home,” I say, smiling at Mrs. Weston. “I moved back to Alden with my two boys.”
“Carter?” She scrunches her brows. “And Dylan, isn’t it? Are those your boys?”
I laugh. “I hope that doesn’t mean they’ve been giving anyone any trouble.”
“After my retirement three years ago, I found myself bored out of my mind. So I’ve been volunteering at the school nearly every day. Last week, I was subbing for Carter’s teacher in the elementary.” She laughs heartily. “Gabby, let me tell you that your little boy is the sweetest, funniest little thing.”
Thank God.My shoulders sag. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“Now, your older boy, he’s not quite as ... chipper,” she says, searching for the right word. “I chatted with him for a while the other day in the high school cafeteria. He was very polite and had excellent manners, don’t get me wrong. He just seems like less of a people person than Carter.”
I force a smile. “I think that’s a pretty accurate observation.”
“Well, I can’t wait to get to know them. I’ll tell them I know their mama next time and that might win me some brownie points.”
Or not.
Mrs. Weston turns to Jay. “How have you been, Jay? I didn’t mean to ignore you. I just haven’t seen Gabby in what feels like forever.”
