Page 55 of Every Now and Then
“I guess I could stick with Cowboy.”
He shakes his head. “Too generic.”
“Fine. I’ll keep thinking then.”
“Man, tonight you look like you did when we first met. Hair pulled up, no makeup, and wearing an old band T-shirt.” He smiles at me, letting me know he likes what he sees. “Brings back good memories.”
"Great memories."
As always, I marvel at how attractive Hayes is. In this lighting, his blue-gray eyes look more prominent, surrounded by his long, onyx lashes. A chestnut curl lays across his forehead, and I wish I could reach through the phone to brush it off his face. As if reading my mind, he runs his fingers through his hair, flexing his bicep as he does.
My mouth runs dry, but my panties grow wet.
Good God, that bulging bicep is freaking sexy.
Fiddling with the sheet, I change the subject to get my mind out of the gutter. “My real estate agent called. The house goes on the market tomorrow.”
“You ready for that?”
Chewing my lower lip, I bounce my head around in a half-nod, half-shake. “I think so. I’ve cleared out all the clutter and gotten all the unnecessary stuff packed up or donated.” Moving seems like such an unbearably hard, monumental thing to do. “Before we move, I’ll have to pack up Kyle’s office, and I’m dreading it.”
The room that has had an emotional stranglehold on me since he died. I’ve been putting off this daunting task for over a year, but I can’t avoid it any longer. After he died, I tried cleaning it out once, but I gave up before I finished the job. I closed the door to his office, and I’ve barely stepped inside since. Just straightening up and dusting the space to get it ready for showings was hard enough.
What scares me most is what I might find. More proof of the affair. His affair partner’s identity. Evidence of the seriousness and duration of their relationship. Not knowing—living with all the unanswered questions about Kyle’s betrayal—has been its own kind of agony, but over the past year, I’ve come to terms with not having all the answers. I don’t have the whole picture, but I know enough. More than enough, honestly. Discovering any new information now could rip open wounds I’ve worked hard to heal.
“Oof. That’s rough. I’m available if you need any help.” The care and concern etched on Hayes’ face make me feel less alone. “But I understand if that’s something you need to conquer on your own, Annabelle.”
“Conquer, huh? Makes me sound like I’m going to war or something. Certainly, makes me sound stronger than I am.”
“Annabelle, you were forged in the fire. You’re the strongest fucking person I know.”
I blink, holding back the tears welling in my eyes. Preparing to sell my house has been more emotional than I expected, and Hayes’ kind words unlock feelings I’ve been trying to keep buried.
Somehow, Hayes always knows what to say when I need to hear it the most.
19
Hayes
Now
Annabelle
Today was a hard one.
Me
I’m sorry to hear that, Annabelle. Want to talk about it?
Annabelle
No, I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me.
Me
Yankee, I know I don't have to, but Ido. And it’s okay not to be okay. I’ll call you as soon as I leave Rowdy’s house.
Annabelle
