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“So you could totally build a fantasy where his marriage is on the rocks and he’s sexually frustrated.” The first woman laughed, a bright, joy-filled sound that grated on Caitlin’s nerves while she cringed from the very idea of that fantasy.
“There you go,” her friend added. Metal thudded on tempered glass. “Oh, I know, you both happen to take the trash out at the same time and your eyes meet over the garbage cans.”
“Savannah, that is so . . . eww.”
Eww definitely covered the scenario. Giggles rose like shimmering bubbles from the deck, and with a sigh, Caitlin shifted Lee to her other breast. How many times had she indulged in a similar conversation with her friends during their single days? And it wasn’t the other women’s fault that she was the problem in her own marriage.
They were not on the rocks. They were . . . shifting, perhaps.
And that wasn’t frightening at all, like hearing the metal pin of the pro groan right before it snapped and sent her plunging down an icy mountain slope.
The door whispered open behind her, and Mr. Hot Dad Vibe passed over her chilled water bottle before settling on the sofa beside her, propping his feet on the table, one ankle crossed over the other. He balanced a glass-bottle Coke on his thigh, peanuts glistening in the caramel liquid, and she swallowed a comment on his sugar and sodium intake.
He tickled Lee’s foot, earning him a scowl before he stretched an arm along the couch behind her shoulders. Gesturing at the view with his bottle, he slumped deeper in the plush cushion. “This is great. You know, I would take the extra commute time if you wanted to move out to the island.”
“That would double your commute if you become the RAC in Conroe.” She nudged his side with her elbow. “And we don’t have a mortgage.”
“I’d pay for a view like that.”
“Mmm, and an hour commute one way.” She nestled her shoulder into the curve of his arm. He toyed with the edge of her sleeve. “That would be a nightmare with the girls’ activities.”
“You could run on the beach every day.” He lifted his bottle for a swallow. Tilting his ankle, he rubbed his toe along the outside of her foot. “Surf every morning.”
“Oh, now that’s tempting.” She sank into this simple moment with him. If she lived only in these moments, adopted a day-by-day mindset, surely they would return to normal.
Or rather, she would return to normal since she was the problem.
“So there’s live music at the bar across the street tonight.” On another sip, he stroked a fingertip along her biceps. “Ace has agreed to babysit if we want to get out for a little while.”
“How much is that costing you?” Amusement tipped the corners of her lips. He’d been adamant Eleanor’s younger siblings would not be a regular, unpaid responsibility.
“If it’s just him, twenty bucks an hour.” A low chuckle vibrated from his chest, spreading into her body. “If Minnie’s in the mix, it goes up to thirty.”
Laughter bubbled into her throat. “This could turn into an expensive date, Calvert.”
He flexed his arm, drawing her into his side. “Think you’re worth it, Falconetti.”
“That’s nice to know.” Rubbing a gentle circle on Lee’s back, she pulled up a smile, a curve of her lips that felt fake, more of a pained grimace.
Because she loved him beyond reason, he was everything she’d ever wanted and worth it to him was the last thing she felt right now.
“We don’t have to do this.” Caitlin slipped her sandal into place and straightened. Perched on the end of the bed, she twisted her wedding rings around her finger.
In the bathroom doorway, Tick paused in toweling his hair. His brows dipped together. “I want to do this. How long has it been since I took you out?”
She lifted a shoulder in a shrug, a tight movement she couldn’t make Woodfield-fluid in this moment. Weariness dragged at her, drawing taut the muscles in her neck and shoulders.
“If you’re worried about leaving him, we’re right across the street.” He tossed the towel in the hamper. A grin played about his mouth. “And Eleanor won’t hesitate to call us. Believe me.”
“I trust her with him.” Having Eleanor watch Lee wasn’t the problem. Leaving Eva wasn’t either. Bea was here, and Tony and Cary planned to stay in, so the four middle children had plenty of supervision.
She didn’t have to look far for her problem tonight. The mirror in the corner would give her a clear image of that.
He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it out somewhat, and shrugged into his shirt, making short work of the buttons before folding his cuffs back. “We won’t be gone long.”
Nodding, she looked at him, taking in the familiar lines of his long, lean body. A sensation of loss swept her, and she sucked in a breath, straightening her shoulders and pulling up a smile. “We should go.”
Outside, the breeze off the ocean flowed between the buildings, ruffling her hair, and he slung an arm over her shoulders. She fought down a cringe, along with a wave of self-hatred.
