Page 208 of Three Reckless Words

“Why are you here?” I ask.

She sighs. “Look, I know I’m hardly your favorite person right now, but I’ll only be a second. I emailed you those photos I took of Holden Corban attacking those bee box things. I don’t know if you’re going after him legally, but if you are, it’s proof. And, you know, a gesture of goodwill.”

I wait for more, near certain that’s not why she’s here.

“And?” I prompt.

“…and there’s one more thing, yeah,” she says.No shit. “I was just offered a new art job in Chicago.”

The fuck? The blood drains from my head as I stare at her.

“You’re leaving,” I growl, anger flicking through my veins.

“I mean, I know it sounds bad, but—”

“Goddamn you, Ri. Colt just started getting used to having you around and you’re pulling up stakes again? I should’ve known.” I snort, struggling to keep my voice down.

She’s so predictable it’s ridiculous. Yet I still let myself get pulled into the possibility that she could do something new.

That this time would be different.

The definition of insanity, doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

Rina will never fucking change.

“I’ve heard enough,” I say coldly, already sick of this.

She grabs my arm as I turn, ready to storm back to the vehicle and be done with this whole conversation.

“Archer, wait.”

“No. I don’t have time for your bullshit excuses right now,” I grind out. “Let go, Rina.”

“Just listen!” She plants her small body firmly in my way. “I know you’re pissed. I get it, but this isn’t like last time. I want to see him. Often. I want Colt to visit me.”

I stare at her.

Rina, the ex-wife I once thought I loved, the mother of my child.

Age really is catching up with her, and in the evening sun, she looks a little like she could blow away in the breeze.

“I’ve discussed it with him.” She swallows. “I was thinking we’d take a trip together this fall, maybe he could fly in for winter break… but you were so worried about Winnie, I didn’t know how to bring it up. And that’s when I realized this isn’t the right place for me after all, even aside from the job.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you were so caught up with her, you couldn’t think about anything else. That’s not your fault, it’s honestly kind of sweet. Colt loves her too. You guys made a life here, and I’m not part of it. That’s my fault, no one else’s.”

I don’t understand.

I also don’t recognize the woman she’s become.

She might look the same, but this isn’t the Rina I know, who resented me for having near total custody every time she came back to ruin Colt’s life.

It’s like something getting washed away from my eyes so I can see clearly again.

Are we finally being adults?

Goddamn, it’s taken long enough.

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