Page 31 of Off Limits Silver Fox

“Would you please just come in?”

I nod reluctantly before brushing past her. My nose wrinkles at her jasmine scent.

“We can talk in the study,” she says, and I follow her to the room that used to be my private abode.

Nothing has changed. The bookshelves, the mahogany desk, the luxurious furniture, and the Persian rug are all still there. I had half expected her to throw them all out.

“Care for a drink?” She sways to the side table where a decanter of brandy and some glasses are positioned.

“No. What is this about, Linda?” I fold my arms across my black leather jacket. “I don’t have time for whatever this is.”

“You don’t care to know what’s going on with your daughter?” She takes a sip from her drink.

“Then spit it out. I’ve got to be somewhere.”

“Where?” she questions further, getting on my nerves.

Without saying a word, I turn around. I can see she only wants to waste my time, probably just to rile me. Getting me angry seems to be her life’s mission.

“Amber needs a family!”

I whirl around to fix questioning eyes on her.

She takes another sip from her drink before carrying on. “I have seen how happy she has been spending time with you. She misses you a lot. I…” she glances away, “I’ve missed you.”

Too stunned for words, I gawk at her.

“I told you a while ago that I regret how our marriage ended. I’ve been seeing a therapist, and I understand now that I was a terrible wife to you. I want to put Amber first, which I should have done a long time ago. So, I’m swallowing my pride to beg you to consider us getting back together for her sake. Amber needs her mother and father under one roof, living happily.” She positions the glass on the desk and reaches for the box of tissues on the table to dab her eyes.

“I know this might come as a shock to you, given how argumentative I have been for a while now. My therapist said it’s because I’m fighting my feelings for you, and I must accept that I still love you and want you back.”

I must be dreaming because it was just yesterday that she hung up on me when I reminded her of my meeting with Amber today.

She walks over to me and rubs her hands across my arm. “I’ve missed you so much, Gareth.”

“Linda, stop this at once.”

Her eyes glisten with tears. “Is there someone else?”

I think of Hailey, whom I just discovered I’m falling in love with, but it’s none of Linda’s business.

“Linda, please. Our marriage didn’t work for a reason. We can’t get back together because of Amber. It would be disastrous.” I release a heavy sigh. “I might not say it often, but you are doing a great job with Amber. She’s a cheerful and intelligent child. I don’t think us getting back together would be in her best interest.”

“Why? You loved me once. I still love you. I could revive the love you had for me if you’d only give me a chance.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Linda. I can’t do that. I’ve moved on with my life. While I love Amber and would do anything in the world for her, this is the one thing I know won’t benefit her.”

“There’s someone, isn’t there?” She gives me a look filled with suspicion. “There’s something different about you. I can’t pinpoint it, but I see you’ve changed.”

That’s because I have Hailey in my life now, and not a manipulative bitch. I realize now why she has been allowing me to see Amber a lot this past week. This was her plan all along. To make me come back to her because of my love for our daughter. How contriving!

“I’ve got to go.”

“Please, Gareth. I’ll beg if I have to.” She holds on to my arm.

“Have some self-respect, Linda. You know we’re not good for each other. Amber is the only good thing between us.” With that, I shake her hand off my arm and leave the study.

On the drive to Brooklyn, I think of the absurdity of Linda’s request, and I’m amazed at her audacity. After everything she put me through, after turning my daughter against me and denying me visits to her, she dares ask for us to be a couple again. I struggle to shake off my annoyance. I don’t want to see Hailey in a foul mood. A minute in her company will dispel such an awful mood, though.

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