Page 22 of The I Do Over

Her smile started small and then grew—as if she was remembering more of their past too. “It’s still the only flavor I eat, so I will definitely take you up on it.”

Leading her over to the freezer, they worked together to make two massive bowls topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Considering they had both lost their appetites less than an hour ago, it seemed crazy that they were willing to indulge, but…who was he to argue?

Within minutes they were on the couch and scrolling through Netflix before settling on a stand-up comedy special of a comedian they both favored. It was really the perfect way to help them relax, and Knox had to admit it felt good to laugh. Plus, he loved the sound of Maddie’s laughter, too. He had a feeling she didn’t laugh a lot in her life, so maybe for a little while, it would be good for her to just lose herself in something silly.

One special turned into two and at that point, he could see she was starting to doze. Standing, he took their bowls into the kitchen and put them in the dishwasher and finally finished cleaning up their dinner dishes too. When he went back into the living room, he had to help Maddie to her feet.

“Come on,” he said softly. “I think it’s been a long and emotional day and a good night’s sleep is definitely in order.”

With a loud yawn, she nodded.

Slipping his arm around her waist, they slowly made their way to the stairs, shutting off the lights and picking her purse up along the way. He grabbed her overnight bag in his free hand and together they made their way up to the guest room. It seemed a little silly, all things considered, that she wouldn’t sleep in his bed, but it was probably for the best.

He placed her bag on the bed. “The bathroom’s right down the hall and there are fresh towels in there. The shower gets really good water pressure and also gets super hot, so be careful.”

She nodded and yawned again.

“If there’s anything you need, I’m just right across the hall, so…”

“I think I have everything,” she said sleepily. “But thank you.”

There was nothing else for him to do or say except…

Walking over, he placed a light kiss on the top of her head. “Goodnight, Maddie.”

She gave him a sleepy smile. “Night.”

Leaving the room was harder than he thought it would be, but he managed to do it and then walked into his bedroom and shut the door. It wasn’t late—at least not for him—but he had to admit that he was more than a little drained. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he let out a long, weary sigh before lying down.

With his thoughts all over the place—ranging from rage and revenge to sadness and devastation—he honestly had no idea which emotion was the strongest.

I never wanted to have babies with anyone else.

Do you think we would still be married?

Those two statements were going to haunt him for a long time. Even if they woke up tomorrow morning and said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, those two things would stay as prominent in his mind as her lies from all those years ago.

Muttering a curse, Knox sat back up and raked a hand through his hair.

He didn’t want to be alone.

Not tonight.

He knew tomorrow was going to come no matter what and that they were definitely going to go their separate ways again. Only…this time it wouldn’t be nearly as dramatic.

But that didn’t mean it was going to be easy.

Staring hard at his closed door, he was conflicted. Did he go across the hall and ask her to join him in bed or would that make him a selfish jerk?

He let out a mirthless laugh. “Like that’s anything new.”

Deciding it would be wrong to disturb her, he stood and pulled his t-shirt up and over his head before tossing it to the floor. He stared down at the bed and the wrinkled mess that his comforter was and grimaced.

“What the hell was I thinking?” he murmured.

“Knox?”

He froze at the sound of his name. It was faint, but Maddie had definitely called out to him. He went across the hall and carefully opened the guestroom door. Maddie was curled up on the bed facing him.

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