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That’s exactly what I was going for when I got dressed. “Thanks. You’re smoking hot, but I’m sure you know that. And your husband can buy a small island somewhere,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “Or several islands? I can’t ever keep up with how rich people are these days.”
Candi thinned her lips. “My husband feels differently about a lot of things. I don’t know if we’re going to make it.”
Brit chewed her lower lip. The air around them crackled, and the easiness from a moment ago vanished. What should she say? “Oh.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to just say this to you, but you’re easy to talk to.” Candi removed her glasses, and a flicker of sadness touched her blue eyes. “I want children and he doesn’t.”
“I understand.” She rubbed her forehead. Shit, bringing them here to spend time with the kids probably backfired. Or maybe not. Brit glanced at Candi. She probably flirted around to feel in control in a situation where both people needed a say so. Using her beauty to mask her real feelings.
“Do you think I’m crazy to do it?”
“I think you need to do what’s best for your heart. Sometimes, that means not being with the person you married,” she said. Brit was no relationship expert, but wasn’t that what Violet had done? She decided to divorce Damian even if they made such a nauseatingly perfect couple on paper.
“I’ll get a good deal of money with the prenup. But my close friends still think I’m crazy to leave Bill.”
Brit glanced at the sun shining down on the ocean. An odd sensation spread through her, and it came with a warning. Maybe she should cling to pragmatism and follow Candi’s friends’ train of thought. After all, Bill was older than her, and they had a critical different view on what they wanted from marriage. But still, she swallowed the lump of uncertainty lodged in her throat, and asked, “Do you love him?”
“Yes. I know most people don’t believe it, but we share a lot of the same interests. He’s good to me. He’s patient.”
Brit closed the gap between them a bit, leaning forward. “And he’s not interested at all in having kids ever again?”
Sadness flickered in Candi’s baby blues. “He said so. I can’t make him, though, right? So leaving is the only way,” she said, her voice losing energy at the end.
Brit’s heart squeezed in her chest. A nostalgic energy passed between them, and she could feel Candi’s pain. See it in her face. “Did you ever give him the ultimatum? Does he know how important this is to you?”
“He should know.” Candi glanced down, folding her arms.
“Sometimes guys need things spelled out for them,” she said, remembering how Damian had listened once she asked him to keep his mind open about them. What would that mean in the long run though? She drew in a breath. “Anyway, I’m so sorry you’re going through that. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.” She touched her arm lightly.
Candi nodded. “Thank you for listening.”
“Anytime,” she said, and meant it.
* * *
“You’re good with kids,”Bill said to Damian, after Libby returned to the boat. She waved at him, smiling, and wrapped a towel around her and went to play with Amanda inside.
“Thank you,” he said. He’d always enjoyed Libby’s company. Unlike his daughter, who was more touchy feely and sensitive, Libby was always snarky and independent. Today he had the chance to help her, and it made him feel good. “I’m take it you’re done with kids, right?”
“Yeah. Candi keeps talking about having them, but I don’t know.”
Having kids? Hmmm… did he know Candi also entertained the idea of leaving him for good? Those two paths were opposite. “It’s a lot of responsibility for sure.”
Bill looked down at the water, playing with some of it, almost lost in his own thoughts, then turned his face to Damian. “Yeah. I used to be good with my kids. Like you.”
Damian touched the edge of a nearby rock. “How badly does she want them?”
The contours of Bill’s face sobered. “Hmmmm… I don’t know. We’ll see.”
“Hey. I’m sure it’s like riding a bicycle,” Damian said. Because he’d been an only child, he’d always wanted a big family of his own. Would he have the chance to give Amanda and Trevor a sibling in the future? Hmmm…
“Yes. Riding a bicycle when you’re pushing sixty, without a helmet,” Bill said laughing.
“Or knee pads.”
“No knee pads for sure.” Bill shook his head. “I’d better get back to slap some sunscreen on. Excuse me.” He swam back to the boat.
As he climbed up the ladder, Brit slid down and emerged in the water, the first time ever since he’d anchored in the sea. The sight of her in that swimsuit elevated his heartrate. What an amazing woman.
