Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“I thought so, too, but he hasn’t even tried to call or text. So, I guess he’s not that interested after all.”
“I’m sorry. I know you liked him.”
“I did, but someone else will come along soon enough.” She patted the countertop as she teased, “And I’ve got my good friend BOB here to keep me company until they do.”
I thought she had taken it with her, but when I started to shut down for the night, I discovered it was still under the counter. I didn’t want MJ to find it, so I brought it home. It had been sitting there for the past couple of days, and I silently cursed myself for not getting it back to her sooner. Quinton was about to look inside when I gasped, “It’s nothing! Just something she forgot to take home the other day.”
“Hmm. Okay.” He leaned over and peeked in the bag, and his eyes grew wide when he saw what was hidden inside. “Is that a...”
“Yes, Quinton. It’s a vibrator.”
“And it’s Caroline’s?” he asked sounding disappointed.
“Afraid so.”
“But we could have a lot of fun with that.”
I was tempted, but after what she’d said about Hayes, I didn’t feel right taking it. “I’m sure we could, but it’s hers. Not mine.”
“We could always get her another one...”
“You’re definitely persistent.”
A sexy smirk crossed his face as he replied, “Only when it matters.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint, but I think she needs it more than I do.”
“So, it’s a no go with Hayes?”
“It’s looking that way.”
“Hmmm. Well, damn.”
With that, he let it go and headed back to the bathroom. Once he’d turned out the light, he came back over to the bed and crawled in next to me. I was expecting him to make a move. Instead, he simply slipped his arm under me and waited as I curled up next to him.
We spent the remainder of the night tangled in each other’s arms.
We spent the next night together and then the next.
One night rolled into another, and before I knew it, a month had passed, and we’d spent every night together. We went back and forth between his place and mine, and to my pleasant surprise, things were going really well. Quinton was everything I’d prayed for. He was kind, thoughtful, and attentive, and he had yet to lose his temper—even when I gave him every reason to.
Without me even realizing it, Quinton had claimed my heart, and I couldn’t have been happier. But old habits die hard. I couldn’t help but wonder what he would do with it.
I tried, but I still struggled—not with trusting him, but myself.
I kept thinking I should see a red flag or some sign that things weren’t what they seemed, but I hadn’t found anything. And I’d tried. I tried really hard, but I hadn’t found a single thing. While it concerned me, I wasn’t going to let my insecurities or anything else come between us, which was one of the many reasons why I’d gone to talk to MJ.
We were both cleaning up in the barn when I asked, “Can I talk to you about something?”
“Sure.” She continued raking straw as she asked, “What’s on your mind?”
“It’s kind of personal.”
“O-kay.”
“And a little embarrassing.” I let out a breath. “So, I’m going to need your word that you’ll keep this between you and me?”
“I can’t make any promises.” She turned to face me, and when she saw my expression, she promised, “But I’ll do my best.”
I nodded, then took a cleansing breath before telling her, “I really don’t know how to sugarcoat this, so I’m just going to say it. I need help getting a divorce.”
“A divorce?” Her eyes widened with surprise. “You’re married?”
“Afraid so.”
I hated seeing that doubtful look on her face, so I quickly filled her in on everything that had happened between James and me. Then, I told her about our last colossal fight and how I’d left without so much as a goodbye. MJ sounded both surprised and concerned when she asked, “So, you haven’t talked to him since you left?”
“Not a word.”
“And it’s been three years?”
“Give or take.” I’d tried to keep it together, but the more I thought about the situation I’d put myself in, the more I started to panic. “I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t want to see him or even think about him. I just want to put that part of my life behind me.”
“To do that, you’re going to need to get a divorce.”
“I know. That’s why I came to you. I was hoping you could help me out with that.”
Relief washed over me when she replied, “Yeah, I can definitely help out with that.”
“Oh, thank you, MJ!” I rushed over and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.”