Page 138 of Beautifully Scarred

“We’ll sort it out,” I say.

“Good.”

The question I’ve wanted to ask all night long is on the tip of my tongue, but I’m not sure how to approach the subject. Since we’re laying everything out there tonight, I decide it’s speak now or forever hold my peace.

“How did Adelaide take the news about Monica?”

His gaze catches mine, the moonlight shining on the side of his face. He holds it for a minute before looking away and resting his forearms on the porch railing. “I’ll deal with Adelaide.”

“That well, huh?”

“She needs time to adjust. I hit her with it out of nowhere and only a few months before the wedding.”

I nod. “Fair enough.” I yawn. The emotional night, on top of me not sleeping lately, means I've hit the end of the line.

“I should go,” he says and straightens.

“Thanks for the talk. I can’t apologize enough for all the pain I’ve caused you.”

“Water under the bridge, remember?”

I give him a small smile and my hand extends, but I retract it. “I’m sorry for any trouble this is causing between you and Adelaide.” And I am. I’ve hurt him enough for three lifetimes.

“Speaking of, I’d better go call her and fill her in on my day. The more I include her, the easier this will be for her.”

A sad smile creeps across my face. “You’ll make a great husband. I always knew you would.”

I drop his hand and enter my house, closing the inside door and locking it before he sees my tears.

Chapter Fifty-nine

JIMMY

“You know I have to go.” I rein in my irritation, but I’m pretty sure it shows on my face.

“Am I finalizing all the details of the wedding on my own now then?” She tosses her purse on the kitchen island.

“You know I don’t care about any of that stuff. I told you in the beginning that I just wanted to marry you. I don't give two shits about all the crap that goes with it. Whatever you decide on will be fine.”

As she walks around the large slab of marble, her chin falls to her chest. I take her hand and tilt her chin up to meet my gaze.

“I’ve already lost five years with her.”

“That’s not my fault,” she grumbles.

I give her hand a shake to grab her attention. “C’mon. I get this is a shock and not something you signed up for, but is this something you can deal with?”

Her head shoots up and her eyes widen. “And if it isn’t?”

Fuck. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

“Good to know.” She yanks her hand from mine and walks over to the cupboard, where she pulls out a glass. “I’ll be fine. It’s hard knowing you spend the entire weekend withher.” She fills her cup with ice and water from the fridge.

I’m not touching that grenade she placed between us. It’s been a stressful week. Both of us had meetings. Adelaide just signed on to star in a romantic comedy that starts filming right after our honeymoon. I promised myself to keep her in the loop, but our schedules and the fact she hasn’t asked one question about my time in Kansas since I returned Sunday make it hard.

“We need to talk.”

She spins around to face me, the glass still in her hand. “What? You’re buying the house next door to her?”

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