Page 27 of Hardy

She closed his door, and crossed thehall to her own.She leaned against the door, and took several deepbreaths.Her life was never going to be the same again.Hardy waschanging, and he was becoming everything she’d always hopedfor.

Moving away from the door, she opened thewardrobe that still held his leather Skulls cut.Each member couldget a new leather cut with the symbol of the club if the old onebecame too worn.Hardy had two jackets, the one he wore now, andthe one that was old.Running her fingers over the worn leather,Rose felt tears close to the surface.Ten years was a long time tobe holding a grudge.Tomorrow she was going to call her lawyer andtell him she wasn’t going ahead with the divorce.Hardy didn’t knowshe had the divorce papers locked away in her drawer.She couldn’tdo it.

Did this make her weak?

She didn’t know anymore what it made her.Loving Hardy had always been her problem.Within the first fewweeks of knowing him she’d fallen in love with him, and that hadnever gone away.Even when she’d found him cheating, she’dstruggled with her feelings.She’d hated and loved him with equalmeasure.

Closing thewardrobe, shemade her way toward the bathroom.She unwrapped her hair from thetight knot above her head, and watched the red hair fall aroundher.Letting out a breath, she stared at her reflection.

Removing all of her clothes, sheturned to the full-length mirror, and stared at her body.Since herseparation, Rose had filled out a little.She’d not been trying tokeep Hardy’s attention, and she’d stopped dieting, going back intothe kitchen.Rose loved to cook, and she’d stopped doing it for so longfor fear of getting fat.

She was now a much fuller sizesixteen than the size ten she’d used to fight to keep.Rose no longer sneeredat a burger, or was terrified when she ate an extra portion offries.She was happy, more than happy.

Would Hardy be happy withherlikethis?

Stop thinking that way.It’s not about what he likes.

Taking a quick shower, she washed away theday’s grime before heading to bed.She pulled on an old shirt thatwas still three sizes too big, and she climbed under the covers.Itwas warm, but her body was chilled after being in theshower.

Turning over, she stared at theempty space thatHardy once slept in.Placing her hand on his pillow, shelet out a sigh.She missed him, really missed him.He was acrossthe hall, and she wished there wasn’t that distance betweenthem.

You have to dothis.

Don’t take himback.

Let him in.

Love him.

Forgive him.

It has been ten damn years.When are you going to cut him some slack?

Make a decision or moveon.

You’re running out ofoptions.

Fighter was right.She was beingcruel, and she needed to stop giving Hardy false hope, or get overher own problems.

****

The following morning Hardy stood in thekitchen and didn’t have a clue what to do.Baker walked in withouta shirt, and his jeans unbuttoned.

“You’re awake early,” Bakersaid.

“I wanted to surprise Rosewith a breakfast.You got any ideas?”

“She likes everything I’ve evercooked.Can you cook?”

Hardy stared at the stove, and the oven.He could lie his way through the morning, or he could be honest.“Ican’t cook.”

“Good for you, I’m a trained chefwith a keen eye on pastry.”Baker walked to the fridge, grabbingout several rolls of pastry.“Some cheating is involved this early.”

Hardystood and watched as Baker worked hisway around the kitchen, grabbing some sugar, chocolate, and spread.The man before him knew his way around the kitchen, and it wasenthralling to watch.The confidence in the man wasinspiring.

“Why did you quit baking,man?”Hardy asked.It seemed completely insane to him to givesomething up that he loved.

“I just couldn’t do itanymore.I can bake here, and at the clubhouse.Never in a bakery,never again.”

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