Page 219 of Champagne Nights

“Hey.”

“Come on in.” She gestured.

“How was your trip with your mom?”

“It was good. We had a nice time.” She shut the door and walked into the living area. “I can’t believe you didn’t call or text me once while I was away. What kind of fiancé does that?”

“You were the one who was angry, Kirsten. Not me. You were the one who stormed out of my office.” I pointed at her.

“Because you put your friends before me all the time. I’m the one you’re marrying, Henry. I should come first.”

“Just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean I have to cut off all contact with my friends. Do I get mad at you when you see your friends?”

“No. But I always put you first. My friends always come second. I gave our relationship a lot of thought while I was away, and my mom and I had a long talk.”

“And?” I secretly prayed she was calling our engagement off.

“I made an appointment for us to go see a couple’s therapist tomorrow evening at seven o’clock.”

“What?” I shouted in disbelief. This was not how it was supposed to go.

“He’s a really good therapist and I know he can help us.”

“No! No, he can’t, Kirsten. I am not going to see a therapist,” I shouted. “You actually think that seeing a therapist before we get married will make things better?”

“Yes!” she shouted back. “I do think it’ll help!”

“Oh my God!” I placed my hands on my head and paced back and forth. “No, it won’t.”

“How do you know? I know you have some issues you need to work out, and he can help you with that.”

The more she spoke, the angrier I became.

“He can’t help me, and he can’t help us!”

“How do you know?!”

“Because I don’t love you, Kirsten,” I blurted out. “He can’t fix that,” I calmly spoke as she stared at me from across the room.

“What did you say?”

“Don’t, Kirsten. Don’t make me say it again.”

“No, you fucking bastard,” she shouted as she ran over to me and started pounding her fists against my chest. “I want to hear you say it again.”

“Kirsten, stop.” I grabbed her wrists and held them tight in front of me as I stared into her teary eyes. “I’m sorry, but it’s over between us.”

“Who is she?” she asked through gritted teeth as she broke out of my grip.

“There isn’t anyone else. Things haven’t been good between us for a while, and you know it.”

“Bullshit, Henry! Who is she?! Who have you been sleeping with?”

“I haven’t slept with anyone.” I pointed at her. “This has nothing to do with anyone else but me. I’m not happy, and I haven’t been in a long time.”

She placed her hand over her mouth as the tears poured from her eyes.

“How could you do this to me?” she sobbed.

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