Page 35 of Wynns of Change
He grimaced. “Are you sure you want fried foods? As I mentioned, there are healthier options on the menu.”
“I stuck to a strict dietary regimen in Vancouver. I’m going to treat myself to some fried chicken.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat and ordered a salad with vinegar and oil dressing, along with a grilled chicken sandwich minus the bun.
Despite an awkward, even shocking, start to their meeting, the meal shifted to an easy conversation, with Robert sharing his thoughts about the projects he’d sent her.
Peppered in with his “shop talk” were casual comments about how he was looking forward to their trips and travel, places the couple had enjoyed visiting in the past.
Clearly, Robert thought it was a “done deal,” that they would reconcile. He even mentioned taking their New York apartment off the market.
The conversation, her husband’s attitude, showed he hadn’t changed. Not one iota. A tiny voice in her ear questioned whether Jillian was really gone—or merely temporarily out of the picture until Harlow and Robert got back together.
He paid the check and reached for her hand. “We have a great life, a great future together, babe.”
Harlow gently, but firmly, pulled away. Talk was cheap. If her husband was truly regretting his actions, he needed to prove it.
“You could hold off on flying back to LA for a few days and we can meet up at the Malibu house.”
“I need to look at my calendar,” Harlow said. “I have something going on, but can’t remember the exact timeframe off the top of my head.”
“Let me know, and we’ll coordinate our schedules.” Robert shoved his chair back and led the way out of the restaurant. “My ride should be here any minute. I see him now.”
The driver pulled up, waiting for Robert to board the carriage. He turned back, as if he wanted to say something, but changed his mind. “We’ll talk soon.”
“Of course.” After he was gone, Harlow hopped on her bike and went for a long ride, replaying their conversation over in her mind.
It was possible Robert realized he’d made a mistake. What would happen when the next crisis, the next accident, or incident occurred? Would he abandon her again, leaving her to fend for herself?
If Jillian was out of the picture, he would be in the market for a new assistant. Maybe he planned to find another beautiful young woman he could mold into his next starlet.
She arrived back home and found her father sitting on the porch waiting for her. “How did it go?”
She climbed the steps and plopped down in the chair next to him. “Robert wants to reconcile.”
David muttered something unintelligible under his breath. Harlow, certain it wasn’t pleasant, didn’t ask him to repeat it. “What did you tell him?”
“I was shocked, considering how he treated me. I told him he caught me off guard and I needed time to process it.”
“Are you seriously considering giving him a second chance?”
Her knee-jerk reaction was to say no. To be honest, she loved Robert as a person but wasn’t necessarily “in love” with him. After taking a long, hard look at her life and envisioning her future, she knew the two were not on the same page. Not by a longshot. Harlow wanted children and a family. Robert did not.
She wasn’t on board to continue buying, buying, buying. Harlow planned to scale back, to enjoy what she’d worked so hard for.
The bottom line was the couple were polar opposites about what they wanted out of life. Harlow was also no longer content with letting Robert run the show. She was enjoying her independence, being able to decide what she ate, what she wore.
Even during lunch, she could almost read her husband’s mind and knew what he was thinking. He was itching to tell her she shouldn’t eat certain foods or dress a certain way.
Her gut told her if the couple tried to salvage their marriage, it was only a matter of weeks, maybe even days, before he fell back into his old habits and micro-managed her every move. Harlow wanted no part of it.
“No.” She ticked off all the reasons. Clearly, the relationship had reached an end, whether Robert wanted to accept it or not. However, she would have to tread carefully in the hopes of an amicable divorce,andshe could eventually find a way out of the manager’s agreement.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Her father patted her knee. “It’s not my place to influence you. You’re an adult capable of making your own decisions. You know how I feel. Robert mistreated you. I can’t even begin to guess why he wants to get back together, but I don’t think it’s wise and I doubt it would end well.”
“In other words, I would be asking for trouble.” Harlow rubbed her palms together. “Someone promised to take me fishing.”
“I’m all packed and ready to go.” David ran inside to gather up their gear.
