Page 113 of This Time Around
“That’s deep.”
“I’m a lawyer, not a guidance counselor.”
Allie chewed the inside of her lip and glanced up at the wall where Wade had all his law degrees in expensive-looking frames. She remembered sitting here in this office six years ago, looking at those frames and imagining a future with the sort of man who’d earned those degrees. A man who’d worked his way up the career food chain and had the fancy ties and the sleek leather office furniture to prove it.
“I did care about you,” she said, dragging her gaze to Wade. He looked surprised, and Allie wondered if she’d said the words for his benefit or for her own. “When we were together, I mean. I might not have loved you the way you’re supposed to love someone you marry, but I always thought you were an amazing guy.”
“I am, of course.” He grinned at her, then leaned back in his chair. “Don’t sweat it, Albatross. No offense, but I never lost much sleep over us.”
“Ouch.”
“That didn’t hurt.”
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I wanted it to be right. With us, I mean. And the other guys.”
“The ones who weren’t Jack.”
She ignored him. “I guess I just got too caught up in looking for the puzzle pieces that seemed like the right color or pattern instead of looking for the one that actually fit.”
“Now that’s a metaphor.”
Allie shook her head. “I’m sorry about you and Skye.”
“It’s fine.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Water under the bridge.”
The breakup had been swift and amicable, only days after the pair had returned from their romantic beach getaway. Allie got the sense she was more upset about it than Wade or Skye were.
She sighed and propped her elbow on his desk, letting her chin sink to the back of her hand. “I still can’t believe you two are over.”
“Believe it, babe. It was good while it lasted, but the whole thing ran its course.”
“But that’s not how it was supposed to go!” The vehemence in her voice and the smack of her palm on the desk made her sound a little crazed. Wade raised an eyebrow, so she sighed and folded her hands on the desk. “I just mean you two seemed so good together,” she said. “I thought this was really it.”
“Sometimes the story doesn’t end the way you think it will,” he said. “Doesn’t mean it was a bad story.”
“Will you please stop talking like a motivational card?”
He laughed and steepled his hands in front of him. “Heard from Jack lately?”
“No.” Heat crept into her cheeks, but she shook it off. “He won’t take my calls.”
“Need me to beat him up?”
“No. Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”
“Good. I kind of liked the guy.”
“I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.” Wade put a hand over hers. “That’s why you’re taking this so hard.”
Allie shrugged and looked away. “He was right, you know. I should have been straightforward with him from the start.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “But at least now you know that. You can admit it and say you’re sorry, while he’s still over there sulking like a little bitch.”
“Be nice,” Allie warned, though she felt more sad than angry.
“Sulking like a kid who dropped his Popsicle on the pavement,” Wade amended.
