Page 18 of Hardy

Arousal shot through her body, takingher completely by surprise.

Walking past him, she started to lookup and down the shelves filled with cans and cartons of differentthings.

What is yourproblem?

He’s your husband.

Soon to beex-husband.

She rubbed at her chestfrom the sudden joltof pain that rushed through her.Divorce had felt like the onlyoption left open to her.Everywhere she looked were memories ofwhat had happened between her and Hardy.

Was there a chance they couldcome back from that?

Rose wanted the chance to bewith him again.The thought ran through her mind, shocking her.

Glancing behind her, she saw Hardy waswatching her.The heat in his gaze was undeniable.He wanted her,just like she wanted him.Licking her lips, she kept picking upgeneral groceries that would keep her going for the next couple ofdays.

Don’t send the divorcepapers.

Hardy had given her the divorcepapers, and she’d been struggling with what to do with them eversince.It shouldn’t be difficult or hard, and yet that was exactlywhat it was.Hardy had taken over ten years of her life.He was thefirst man she’d ever been with.He was the first man she’d everfallen in love with, and no one could change that no matter howmuch she wished they could.

Ten years is a long timeto waste.

They made it around thestore, and asthey were queuing she asked Hardy how he handled it.

“There was a point I wasgoing to burst into flames.I think it was at the women’s products.Scary shit that stuff is.”

“Yeah, I could never rely on youin a crisis.”Andthatwas part of the problem.She was always there for him,getting him everything he needed.Hardy wouldn’t go to the storefor her to get her sanitary towels during her monthly cycle.Hewasn’t there for her, and it had all added up until she couldn’ttake it anymore.

You never askedhim.

Rose paused as she remembered thatshe’d never even asked him.

“I was a complete bastard toyou, wasn’tI?”

“We both made mistakes.I didn’teven ask you to do stuff for me.Let’s not talk aboutit.”

They were being served, and they didn’tspeak of it again.She packaged up their groceries, placing themback into the trolley.Hardy paid, and then they were walking backto the car.At the trunk of the car, Hardy grabbed herarm.

“We need to talk about thiscrap, Rose.This is our problem, we don’t talk.”

She stared into his eyes not knowing whatto expect from him.The sincerity in his eyes made her realize hewas speaking the truth.

“What do you want to talkabout?”she asked.

“I fucked up.I was a totalasshole to you, and I’m sorry.”

“This doesn’t matteranymore.We can’t change what happened.”

“But you won’t sleep next to meat nighttime.You’ve cut me out, and I don’t like it.I want to dobetter, Rose.I want to be better.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she took adeep breath in an attempt to keep her emotions in check.

“I can’t do this rightnow.”

“We need to do this,Rose.”

“Baker’s waiting for usback home.Let’s get the food loaded into the car.I’mhungry.”

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