Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 131486 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131486 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“It’s impressive,” I offer with a smile. “What you’ve done here.”
“Well, we’re impressed by the two of you,” Merry says. “We love all the parallels between our journeys and yours. Finding another couple to take this on would be amazing.”
“We, uh, aren’t a couple anymore,” Josiah says, tracing the wood grain of the table with the tip of his finger. “We’re divorced.”
“Oh.” Ken’s brows rise. “Then I’m even more impressed. It’s hard enough to be in business with your life partner, much less your former life partner. That’s what I get for assuming. Sorry about that.”
“No problem,” I assure him. “We’ve put our business and our kids first. They’re most important. We’ve managed to remain friends.”
I hazard a glance up and find Josiah watching me. Our eyes lock and won’t let go for a few seconds. Heat crawls up my neck and spatters my cheeks. I finally drag my gaze away to the linen napkin in my lap.
“Friends, huh?” Merry looks between us, a wry smile etching fine lines around her mouth. “I can see that. Well, we never bothered with the marriage part, but we did everything else.”
“What?” My head pops up and I latch on to her words. “You two aren’t married? But how long have you—”
“Thirty years we’ve been together.” Ken kisses the top of Merry’s head. “One successful business and two successful kids, but no rings.”
“That’s…unconventional,” Josiah says.
“We are that,” Merry says and laughs. “But it works for us. We didn’t need the paper or the hardware. Most of the marriages I saw growing up were traps, a means to keep women minimized. Not that I think my Ken would ever do that.”
She lifts his knuckle for a kiss.
“We just don’t really believe in it as an institution,” Ken adds. “But we believe in each other forever. We’ve made a life together on our own terms.”
“The only thing holding us together,” Merry says, looking at Ken with affection, “is our love, but that is the proof of it. That we could leave at any time.”
“But neither of us ever would. Never have. I would argue that what we’ve made is stronger, truer than most marriages because of the freedom it allows us.”
“So you have an open relationship?” Harvey asks. “I didn’t know that.”
“It’s not open. We’re monogamous.” Ken slides Merry an amused glance. “At least I think we’ve always been.”
“Always.” Merry chuckles, settling deeper into the crook of Ken’s arm. “We chose each other, and our minds have never changed.”
A server walks up to our table with a tray of desserts, redirecting the conversation, but I can’t shake what they’ve said. If Josiah and I had taken that route, we never would have divorced. We would have just parted ways, but I think the hurt and bitterness would have still followed us. The piece of paper doesn’t define your commitment, but neither does its absence. I suspect what Josiah and I once had would have been just as strong had we chosen not to marry, and it would have hurt just as much when we fell apart. My thoughts wander to the simple gold band and chip diamond ring Josiah gave me, all he could afford at the time. It’s in the same jewelry box with those turkey earrings and the wheel necklace he gave me for our anniversary. A crypt for diamonds and demons and ghosts.
“Chocolate?” Josiah asks, jarring me from my maudlin musings.
“Huh?” I look from him to the plate of desserts.
“The chocolate is delicious,” Merry says. “But the pear turnover is sublime. I recommend everyone try it at least once.”
“Pears are my favorite fruit,” I tell her with a smile. “I haven’t had any in forever. I’ll have the turnover.”
“The pear trees are out back,” Ken says and slides the pastry onto my plate with his knife. “They were here long before we were. We just keep them going. Some of the best pears in the state.”
“They’ve won contests,” Merry adds, pride in her smile. “You won’t regret trying it.”
“Oh, dear God,” I moan, turning the warm pears and flaky crust in my mouth. “This has to be a deadly sin.”
Merry laughs. “Told you.”
“Taste,” I say, heaping some of the gooey dessert onto my fork and bringing it to Josiah’s mouth. It’s habit. We always used to share our food. He opens immediately, his eyes closing in appreciation.
“Wow,” he says, forgoing the chocolate cake to reach for a turnover of his own from the tray. “Does the recipe for this come with the business?”
“Perfect segue,” Ken says. “You’ve seen us on paper and now you’ve met us in person. Seen our operation.”
“Eaten our food,” Merry says with a smile. “Are you interested?”
“You have a great place here.” Josiah sets his fork down on the plate in front of him. “Beautiful space. Great neighborhood. Yasmen and I need to discuss it before we make any solid plans.”