Page 149 of Champagne Nights

I led her to the garage and showed her the finished dining set.

“Oh, Ben. This is beautiful. Wow. You are really, really good.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. “We better get going.”

I placed my hand on the small of her back as she walked past me. She looked so incredibly beautiful that I had difficulty concentrating on anything else.

We walked into the restaurant and the hostess took us to the table where my family was sitting. The minute my mom and dad saw us approaching, they both stood up.

“Hi, Mom, Dad. I would like you to meet Paisley Logan. Paisley, this is my mom and dad, Lucinda and John Preston.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.” She smiled as they lightly shook hands.

“You’ve already met Finn and Olivia.”

“Nice to see you both again.”

We took our seats, and I noticed that my mom was eyeing Paisley.

“You aren’t by any chance, Dear Paisley?”

“I am.” She shyly smiled.

The smile on my mom’s face grew wide. “That’s wonderful. I really enjoy your column.”

Dinner went well, just like I expected it would, and Paisley seemed to settle in comfortably. She talked a lot with Olivia and my mom, and everyone seemed to really like her. No one brought up what happened one year ago today, and I was relieved.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Paisley

“Good morning, Romeo,” I said, scratching his head.

I decided that I was going to work from home today and not bother going into the office. More than enough work was piled in my computer, and I would get more done at home on the comfort of my couch. After I rolled out of bed, I fed Romeo and popped a K-cup in the Keurig. Picking up my phone, I noticed there was a text message from Ben.

“Good morning. I just wanted to thank you again for yesterday and last night. It meant a lot.”

I smiled as I took my cup and sat down in my office. Meeting Ben’s family last night was nice. They were nice, and the fact that his mom read my column made it a little more comfortable.

“Good morning. You’re welcome. I enjoyed meeting your family. They’re very nice.”

“I know they enjoyed meeting you, too. My mom already called me this morning and asked when she would see you again. Don’t be surprised if she invites you to another dinner real soon.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Have a great day, Paisley. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“You too, Ben. Bye.”

As I set down my phone, I couldn’t help smiling. I opened my computer and email with the list of questions waiting for me in my inbox.

Dear Paisley,

My husband has secretly been watching porn behind my back, and it’s ruining our marriage. I’ve never liked porn and always refused to watch it with him, even when he begged me. He said he stopped, but I found porn sites on his computer and text messages on his phone to his friends about different porn sites. Our sex life is almost non-existent because of his porn addiction. I feel my marriage is ending, and I don’t know how to save it. Please help.

Feeling Betrayed.

Dear Feeling Betrayed,

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