Page 117 of For the Love of Art

“I’ve been doing some thinking–”

“That’s never good.”

Don chuckled. “Witty. I always loved that about you.”

I wet my lips. “What are you thinking?”

“That we rushed into separating too quickly.”

My brows raised. “You got another woman pregnant. I’m not sure what else we do.”

“Couples stay together through infidelity. I know it will take work- a lot of work on my part. I want to do it for you and for us. Fifteen years. We can’t just throw that away.”

My bottom lip quivered as I tried to find words. I wanted him to say this to me months ago. Even back at the grand opening when we saw each other for the first time since separating, I would’ve given anything for him to say those exact words.

My heart was racing, and my body felt tense and kind of cold.

“Don.”

“What do you think?”

“I can’t–” I tried to steady my breathing. “I can’t breathe.”

Don looked concerned. “Do you need me to call someone?”

“No. I need you to stop talking.”

I clutched my chest and focused on breathing. In and out. Slowly, I felt my body relax.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

He still looked concerned. I nodded.

“Hear me out–”

“No.” The word shot out of me so fast.

“Isla.”

“Stop.”

“Please.”

“You don’t get to fucking do this to me!” I yelled.

Don was startled and looked around. “Isla, please. This is a public space. I don’t want anyone coming in here.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I still love you.”

I felt like I’d been slapped.

Don sighed. “This isn’t going how I thought it would. I’m not even saying everything I wanted to say. It’s hard because I don’t want anyone to overhear us.”

I nodded. “Why did you agree to come here then?”