Page 69 of Promise

Spencer glances in my direction, blinking once like he hadn’t noticed me standing there, my arm so obviously around my wife.

“Spencer,” Trinity murmurs, side-eyeing me before meeting his gaze head-on. “I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.”

Damn right, it won’t.

Spencer looks back at me, tips up his nose, and glances at Trinity again. “You still have my number. If you need me.”

If she needs him? For what? Fuck no. Not happening.

I shift around Trinity, intending to get on her other side, but she catches my arm before I can kiss this guy’s face with my fist.

“It was nice to see you again, Spencer,” she says, before pushing the stroller forward. I knock into his shoulder when I pass him. Childish, but sending a clear message. Fuck off.

He chuckles, like he knows something I don’t.

“Spencer Reid.” I huff, my heart pounding a million miles a minute. “Just what the fuck was that, Trinity?”

She shrugs, but I stop us by placing my hand on her forearm. She grips the stroller tighter but twists to face me.

“I went on a date with him.” Her voice is quiet, embarrassed, apologetic. She further emphasizes her discomfort with an apology. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why?” Why that guy?

“You were gone.” She shrugs and lowers her eyes. “And he asked.”

The explanation sounds simple enough, but Trin knows there is no love lost between Spencer and me. And the idea of Trinity trying to find someone to replace me in her life makes me ill.

A date. What did that involve? Dinner. Conversation. A goodnight⁠—

“Did you kiss him?” Unbelievable. I don’t really want to know that answer, however, I couldn’t help but ask. She didn’t sleep around like I initially thought. Hasn’t been with anyone else since I left. But a date could mean a kiss.

Trinity keeps her head lowered.

Fuck. I swipe both hands through my hair and blow out a sharp breath.

“You don’t need to act jealous,” she whispers, eventually looking back at me.

“I’m not acting.” My voice rises before I lower it and lean toward her. “I am jealous. Always going to be.” Always going to know I put this large blip in our marriage.

“Look, this might not be the time or place for us to discuss our relationship status, but we’re still married.” I lift my hand. She might have wanted a divorce. But I hadn’t given it to her. “Do you want to . . . not be?” I can’t even say the word.

She shakes her head, keeping her gaze aimed at her hands. “But you’re right, I think we should talk about this later.”

Unable to stop myself, I reach for both her hands, tugging them free of the stroller handle. I step closer to her. Close enough to touch my forehead to hers. “Trin, right now, I want to kiss you like you deserve to be kissed and wipe that fucker’s goodnight kiss off your lips.”

No one gets her mouth again except me.

I kiss her brow, lingering there, squeezing her hands because I’m afraid to let go. Afraid if I step back, she’ll step away.

“You don’t need to do that,” she whispers, and I pull back, needing her eyes. Needing to understand. She doesn’t want me to kiss her. Again? Ever?

“You’ve already erased it.” She smiles sheepishly, reminding me of our too-brief kiss on the couch.

“Damn right, I did.” I scoop my arm around her. And I want to do it again.

But she’s the pace car.

We stand still for another second. My arm around her. Her leaning against my chest. My heart is still racing. We’re going to have these moments. Incidents that have happened while I’ve been gone.