Page 83 of The Devoted Husband

The Christmas Cabin Trip

Sade swirled her spoon around her spiked coffee as she stared at the falling snow. All things considered, she’d enjoyed her time at the cabin...with Atlas. As upset as she was at Imani for manipulating her into the trip and causing her to lie to her best friend, Sade had developed a connection with Atlas that made it worth it. She kept telling herself it was just about the sex and temporary companionship, but Atlas’s desire for her was melting her.

“Mornin’,” Imani grumbled, shuffling into the kitchen. She looked bougee as ever in her white sheer robe with fur and matching fur kitten heels. Her locs were pulled up into a fat bun, providing an unobstructed view of her beautifully sculpted face. It always bothered Sade to witness such a beautiful woman act so ugly.

“Mornin’,” Sade responded, heading out of the kitchen.

“Wait. Are you still mad at me? You’ve been avoiding me this whole trip.”

“That’s what you wanted, right? Time alone with Adam.”

Imani huffed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, that’s what I wanted, but without the attitude from you.”

Sade chuckled. “I’m not sure how you thought that was possible. You brought me here under false pretenses, and you’re putting me in a horrible position with Dante.”

“Look, let’s not bring him into this. It’s our last full day here, and Adam wants to do something as a group. I don’t want you having an attitude to ruin it.”

“Oh, sothat’swhat this is about? You don’t really care about howIfeel or us not doing anything. This is about Adam and whathewants.”

Her jaws clenched, Imani stared at her sister, and Sade laughed with a shake of her head.

“Enjoy your day, Imani,” Sade said as she left the kitchen.

“Be ready to go in an hour!”

“Whatever,” Sade grumbled under her breath, not even bothering to look back. She took small sips of her still-hot coffee, almost dropping the cup when she entered her room and saw Atlas placing something on her bed.

“Jesus, you scared me.” Sade clutched her chest, trying to slow her palpitating heart.

“Sorry, I was trying to surprise you with this gift.”

With a tsk, Sade walked over to him. “You didn’t have to get me anything, Atlas.”

“I know, but I wanted to.” He lifted the gift bag and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas, Sade.”

“I can’t take this. Not until I go get you something.”

He gave her a sexy smile and licked his lips. “I don’t want you to get me anything. Now, take this.”

Sade accepted the bag and then set her mug on the dresser. She removed the tissue paper and pulled out a leather-bound book. As she opened it, Atlas said, “I got this from the vintage shop in the town square. It has little dotted pages inside. The lady said that it was good for artists. Was she right?”

With watery eyes, Sade slipped her hand over the aged leather. “Yeah, she was.” Sade laughed in disbelief. “This is...beautiful, Atlas. I’m going to keep this forever. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”

Sade pulled him in for a hug as she told him, “I love it.”

Her eyes squeezed shut as tears threatened to pour. It was such a thoughtful gift, and she wasn’t expecting it to come from him...Someone she’d known on such a shallow level. Maybe it was the holiday season, but the gesture had definitely opened Sade’s heart to Atlas just a little bit more.

Sade

Just After Christmas

When tears dropped and landed on the notebook Atlas had given her, Sade quickly wiped them away. She didn’t think getting the DNA test results would bring up old feelings and memories of Atlas, but that was what had happened. She tried to pinpoint where things started to go wrong between them.

The move to Memphis?

Being with his family?

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