Page 89 of If I Didn’t Have You

I appreciated the sentiment, but there was no one watching me. “Look at you, trying to make a woman feel wanted.”

A chuckle slipped from his lips as he took a drink. “Well, you keep thinking that.”

“Charlie, there is not a single man in this bar staring at me.”

“Honey, every man in the bar is taking a turn to gawk at you, but that’s in between your husband giving them the stink eye.”

I discreetly glanced over my shoulder in my husband’s direction, but he wasn’t looking at me at all. Nope, he was talking with Sam and Deke without a care in the world.

“Sure, Charlie.”

He was a sweet man, married to his job for the last twenty-five years. Working for the ambulance service and fire department was his life, and no woman had tempted him yet.

“Why don’t you make a woman feel good and put some music on the jukebox.”

A sly grin crossed his lips. “So, you want me to spin you around the dance floor to make your husband jealous.”

“What I want is to have some fun.”

Chuckling, he held out his hand to me. “Clara Parker, you do love playing with fire.”

I took his hand and slid from the stool as he guided me over to the dance floor. He tossed a quarter to Buck, who sat by the jukebox as if it was his sole job in life to man the thing.

“That was a nice trick.”

“Yeah? Did you like that?” he asked as he pulled me into his arms. “You should see what else I have up my sleeve. I’ll make you wish you never married Ben.”

Chuckling, I let him twirl me around the dance floor, trying to keep up when I wore heels that were made for a younger, more coordinated version of myself.

“I’m going to fall if you keep tossing me around!”

“Should have gone with cowboy boots. Don’t you know that’s all Ben likes to see you in?”

“Apparently, he’s got a wandering eye.”

“Ben?” He frowned, glancing over my shoulder. “Nah. Haven’t seen him look at anybody but you since I’ve known the man.”

That’s what people kept telling me, but I’d seen the way he looked at River. He’d shown off for her, and that was something he hadn’t done for me in years.

“Well, maybe I’m just out to have a good time and remind myself what it’s like to feel young.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place.”

And for the next half hour, he made me laugh, flung me around, and made me work up a sweat so bad that I had to stop before I ruined this beautiful dress.

“No more,” I laughed.

“Fine, but I’m coming back to claim you after another drink.”

I headed back to the bar for a glass of water, smiling so big at the way I felt inside. Desired. I hadn’t had so much fun in years, but the moment I sat down, I glanced over in the corner, only to find Ben’s table vacated.

The joy in my chest instantly deflated, and my night out no longer held the same appeal. After tossing money down, I slipped out, not even offering a goodbye to Charlie.

The moment I walked through the door to the house, I kicked off my heels and tossed my purse on the entry table. My feet were exhausted, and my good mood had vanished, along with my husband.

“You looked like you were having fun out there.”

I gasped as Ben’s voice caught me off guard, scaring the crap out of me. Marching forward, I flipped on the light in the living room, glaring at my husband who sat amongst the construction with a glass of whiskey in his hand.