Page 133 of Be My Wife

“I don’t care about those things.”

“Fine.” She pouts. “Then you can buy your mama and daddy a nice house and a better car.”

Her words paint a brilliant picture in my head. My mom and dad never having to worry about bills a day in their life. Enjoying their retirement. Travelling the world.

Novah drops her voice to a whisper, “I think you should get Oren’s lawyer friends together and amend whatever agreement you made with Brogan. You’re his wife in the eyes of the law, even if it was only a sham. You deserve to get a piece of the pie too.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I just…” I swallow hard. Think of Brogan’s expression when he confessed to giving Lana money and getting his heart broken in return. “I can’t do that to him.”

Novah rolls her eyes.

“What?”

“Girl, I am so disappointed in you.” Novah huffs. “How could you be so stupid?”

“Watch it, Novah.”

“No, you’re the one who needs to watch herself.” She lifts her head. Glares at me. “You love him.”

My shoulders tense.

“Babe, it’s all over your face.” Novah sighs as if I’m a terrible student and she’s the exasperated teacher. “I’ve heard the song and seen this dance from you before. You tell me about some guy who seems perfect on the outside. You lower your guard. Give him everything. Put all your trust in him. And then what happens?”

I glance away.

Novah reaches across the table, grabs my chin and forces me to look at her. Brown eyes burning, she hisses, “What happens? What do all of those jerks do?”

“They leave me,” I mumble.

“I can’t hear you.”

“They leave me!”

“Exactly.” She drops her hands. “They leave your sorry butt. They leave you to pick up the pieces of your broken heart. Remember? That’s why you chose to be alone.”

My nostrils flare.

No.

Brogan’s different.

I think of how tenderly he held me last night.

After everything.

We’d just… stayed in each other’s arms.

Our breaths fell in sync.

Our heartbeats marched to the same rhythm.

It was perfect.

It was beautiful.

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