Page 22 of The Husband Situation

And he couldn’t do that. Not to her. And not to himself.

Both of them deserved more.

“I’ll see you Monday.”

He rounded the desk, pausing only to grab his keys from where he’d dropped them on the floor and left the office, quietly closing the door shut behind him.

Shutting the door on what could’ve been.

CHAPTER FIVE

THEREWERESOmany Santas.

Brooklyn stood in front of Sunnyside Grille, scanning Main Street and the crowds of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes. They congregated in the cordoned-off street and on either side of it, filling the sidewalks to capacity.

The annual Santa Run was set to commence, and everyone’s excitement practically danced on the air. This time last year her own eagerness and delight would’ve joined theirs. This Yuletide event had always been one of her favorites. Seriously, what wasn’t to enjoy about people partnering up and running an obstacle course down the length of Main Steet, and all the while dressed up as Santa? Absolutely nothing. And that money earned from the run went to charity only sweetened an already fun occasion.

But this year was different from last year and all the ones before it. Then, she’d been blind to so many things. Then, her happiness didn’t hang in the balance.

You’ve spent so many years fighting for your parents’ approval, their attention, that you don’t know what it looks like to be unconditionally accepted and loved. You don’t recognize it when it’s standing here right before you, offering itself to you.

Patrick’s words rang in her head as they had been for the past two nights. They haunted her, pursued her even into sleep. She couldn’t escape them. And after not hearing from him for the past couple of days, she realized she didn’t want to outrun them. On the contrary, she longed to embrace and hold them close like a treasured heirloom, guarding them in her heart.

Maybe because he’d made love to her with such passion and emotion that she’d been irrevocably changed afterward... Maybe because he’d been so damn brave and laid himself bare before her... Maybe because she’d never felt so desired, so needed, so vital to someone else’s existence in her life... It could be all three or none of them, but whatever the reason, she’d felt a yawning void inside her, and it’d only grown wider and deeper with each passing moment that she didn’t hear his voice, or see his beautiful face or touch that strong, sheltering body.

When confronted with the emptiness that had nearly swallowed her whole, fear had no place to hide or seek cover. She’d rather face the rejection and anger of her family than not be with the man courageous enough to love her.

So she had a decision to make.

“Brooklyn, we’ve been looking everywhere for you,” a very familiar and oh yes, grating, voice called.

Showtime.

She turned to face Kayla, who stood behind her with their parents. Brooklyn’s heart hammered at her chest as if it were trying to make a hole to the other side. Fear tasted metallic on her tongue, but she didn’t allow that to stop her from approaching her family.

“You asked us to find you down here, and that it was urgent,” Kayla griped, crossing her arms. “Although I don’t see what could possibly be so important if we’re discussing it during a Santa Run.”

Patience. She’s your sister. You cannot air her out in the middle of Main Street. No matter how much you’re dying to.

“Is something wrong, honey?” Her mother tilted her head, her gaze roaming up and down Brooklyn as if searching out any possible injuries.

“No, I’m fine. It’s just that I have to do something this evening, but I needed to talk to all of you first before I did it.” God, that sounded cryptic as hell. And confusing. “I know I’m not making much sense at the moment.”

Kayla arched an eyebrow, but before she could respond, her father shifted closer and said, “What is it, honey? We’re listening.”

Giving him a grateful look, Brooklyn inhaled a deep breath and took a moment to meet the gaze of each of her family members. How to broach this? Ease into it with some background about her and Patrick’s friendship? Apologize and then—

“Patrick and I are married.”

Well, damn.

That announcement leaped out of her mouth before she even registered what she’d been about to say. And now, despite the racket going on around them, the words seemed to reverberate and gain volume with each passing second.

But it was out there now, and she couldn’t take it back. And she wouldn’t even if she could. A huge weight lifted from her shoulders and chest, and for the first time since she’d woken up in Vegas, she could breathe deep, easy. It was cleansing. And she felt almost...free.

“I’m sorry,” her mother slowly said. “Did you just say you and Patrick are married?”

“My Patrick?” Kayla repeated, staring without blinking. She shook her head. “What the hell are you talking about? That’s not possible.”

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