Page 79 of Wicked and Claimed

Haisley didn’t know what advice to give her friend. How could she when her own love life was spiraling out of control and falling apart? Love—the forever kind—wasn’t in the cards for her. Coming to that conclusion had been bitter as hell, but facts were facts. True devotion was for the lucky few, and she wasn’t one of them.

Last year, when Charli and Daniel had gotten hitched she’d hoped her friend would be different, but…sadly, they were like most everyone else.

Doomed.

“Help me,” Charli sobbed in her ear.

“I wish I knew what to say. I’m probably the worst person to give romantic advice. Maybe you should pack a bag and go to the bed-and-breakfast this weekend. Use the time and distance to decide what’s best for you. And if you really think it’s over, then you have to do whatever serves your heart and your happiness. Don’t let fear keep you trapped in a situation that’s only hurting you more each day.”

There was a heavy pause on the line, punctuated by Charli’s occasional hiccups and sniffling wails.

When her friend finally spoke, her voice was subdued but resigned. “You’re right. I need to think. I need to figure out what comes next. It’s just…this wasn’t how our marriage was supposed to go, you know? We were going to grow old together, gray and wrinkled like two adorable prunes spoiling all our adorable grandkids.” She exhaled a shuddering sigh. “But it doesn’t look like that will ever happen. Some happily ever after, huh?”

The bitter disappointment in Charli’s tone lanced straight through Haisley’s chest. Because she understood. Deep down, Haisley feared that shattering disillusionment—the slow, agonizing death of a dream she pinned her hopes and happiness on. If she gave into her heart’s desire to try love and forever with Nash, they’d end up destroyed, too.

Shoving aside her melancholy, she mustered a gentle tone. “Oh, sweetie. I just want to reach through the phone and hug you.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t make any rash decisions, okay? Take the weekend. Get some space. Really think about what you want and what divorcing Daniel would mean. And I’m always here if you want to talk or vent or cry.”

“Yeah. I think you might be right. I’m going to pack a bag and head out first thing in the morning, consider my options and just…try to figure everything out over the weekend.” Another weighted pause. “Thanks. I love you, girl. You’re the best.”

“I love you, too. Chin up, okay? You’ll figure it out. Ring me if you need an ear.”

As the call ended, Haisley gripped her phone with a heavy heart.

God, how horrible for Charli… And how badly her friend’s teary heartbreak had reinforced all her own worst fears.

Nash wandered closer, his expression carefully neutral. “Is she all right?”

“Not really. You overheard?”

He shrugged apologetically. “Hard not to. And I hate to hear she’s contemplating divorce. He’s not putting her first?”

Haisley shook her head. “He’s too busy working and saving. I know those are supposed to be virtues, but not when you don’t spend any time with your spouse. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be the first couple to split up because they both wanted different things…”

When she realized what she’d said, she squirmed in her chair. But Nash didn’t notice. Or he didn’t seem to care that she’d brought up the very issue that had torn them apart.

Then again, how could he understand?

Not going down that rabbit hole now…

“Anyway, this older guy I know online lost his wife or something, I think,” she went on. “He told me recently that he’d sacrifice anything for just another ten minutes with her. I know Daniel means well and he’s trying to do right by Charli, but she’s a flesh-and-blood woman with a soft heart and needs…and he’s just never there. I think about what my friend, Jasper, said, and I wonder if Daniel will wake up one day when he’s older and alone and realize how badly he screwed up.”

Nash didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Haisley held her breath as a weighted pause hung between them. His stare drilled into her. She swallowed.

Oh, god. It felt like he was talking about her. About them.

“You really believe that?” she breathed.

“I know it. And if he gives up, he’s an idiot.” Nash sat beside her, still naked as the day he was born. “And let me be clear, Haisley. I’m not stupid.”

Her mouth suddenly felt like the Sahara, and her heart was beating wildly in her chest. “Nash, don’t do this…”

“Why not?”

---