Page 166 of The Bad Husband

Hands stuffed in my pockets, I tilt my chin down to protect it from the unforgiving cold and check the gate again. The only warm part of me, my heart, pumps in my chest furiously.

I never thought I’d live this day.

Damon is out. Out. Out. Out for good.

I can’t believe it.

I check the time on my watch.

He’s late.

Late for his own release.

I hope things are all right.

Anxious thoughts buzz in my head as tears prickle my eyes.

Man, it’s cold.

I wonder if anyone else is scheduled to walk out of that gate.

My ears perk up as I hear voices. Male voices. I’m so focused on that gate that my brow hurts.

The door finally opens, and a man dressed casually, his hair buzzed short, tilts his head, saying his goodbye to one of the guards.

He carries his belongings under his arm.

He’s dressed casually, nothing like the man I used to know. A pair of jeans, a winter jacket, boots.

He holds his head tilted down, yet walks firmly in my direction as if he knows I’m here.

It would be impossible to miss me.

There’s no one else on the entire street.

With wide strides, he closes the distance between us, and I can’t wait for his eyes to meet mine.

He eventually tilts his head up. His eyes smile first, then his lips.

My mouth glides into a grin as well.

He has a happy expression on his face.

Without a word, he closes the space between us and pulls me into his chest. His stubble rubs against my cheek.

We’re not kissing. He hugs me with such force that I lose my breath. And then he kisses me.

And I kiss him.

Laughing and crying happy tears at the same time.

He looks changed. He is charged.

He no longer carries the burden of the secret life he was leading down south and the memory of a woman who was part of his crazy life.

He is free, not only just released from jail, but also free from a life that led him to this place.

I like this new man a lot.