Page 21 of Unsteady in Love

“Did you go look at the dogs today?” he asked, resting his face on his hand.

“I did,” I knew I had a dreamy look on my face as I sighed thinking about all the cute puppies. “I don’t know how I could possibly choose just one. I wanted to bring them all home.”

“Well, you have the room,” he laughed.

“That I do, but I don’t want to have to potty train that many puppies.”

“Did they finish the fence or is it still raining?”

“The fence is finally finished. I thought it was never going to stop raining.” I pulled the computer further up the bed and laid down.

With brows furrowed, he asked worriedly. “Shit, Prue, did I call too late?”

“It’s not too late. I just wanted to get comfortable. You look like you got some good sleep.”

“A little.” He smiled shyly. “Why do you have that look on your face that means you’re keeping something from me?”

I didn’t want to tell him, but I knew I couldn’t lie to Holden. Yet, I couldn’t get it out of my head either. “Holden, how would you feel if I told you that someone asked me out today when I was at the grocery store?”

I’d barely gotten the sentence out before his face turned red, and he looked as if he might explode at any moment. I think I got my answer.

“I wouldn’t be fucking happy, for sure. Why would some guy ask you out? Do you not wear your wedding ring?”

“How am I supposed to know why some guy would ask me out?”

Holden growled with his eyes narrowed on the screen.

“Do you wear your ring?” I returned the question. I had no idea if he wore his or not. We hadn’t talked about anything but getting married, paying off my debt, and buying a house. I didn’t know at the time if he planned to date during our marriage or what.

“Yes, Prue,” he barked out, holding his left hand up showing his wedding band on his finger. “I do wear mine. The real question is, do you?”

“Why are you getting mad at me?”

“Because you’re telling me that while I’m all the way over here, guys are asking you out! If you were wearing your rings, I don’t think that would happen,” he growled out.

“Well, for your information, I do wear them. But you know what, Holden, we didn’t talk about what this marriage would mean.”

“Would mean?” he interrupted. “Did you plan to date and screw guys through our entire marriage?”

“See, that right there is why we should have had a prenup or not have gotten married in the first place.”

“I was trying to fucking help you,” he growled loudly. I could feel the vibration through the computer.

I sat up, furious. “So, now you’re going to hold it over my head? I don’t think so,” I spat. “I’ll sell the fucking house, and I don’t care if it takes me the rest of my life, I will pay you back every dime. I don’t need you or your help.”

“Yes, you fucking do. I thought you’d hold our vows sacred,” he said the last words and his expression evolved from anger to hurt.

“Oh my God, this is why we should have talked.”

“I guess so,” he hissed.

“Are you telling me you’ve been celibate?”

“Of course, I have.” He looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. “Do you think I’ve turned gay? I’m literally around men twenty-four-seven.”

“Are you saying that if you were around women, you’d be having sex with them?” I grated out.

“Where are you getting these ideas?” he asked, eyes wide with bewilderment. “Is it because you’ve been dating and having sex?”

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