Page 2 of One Last Kiss
By the time she’d left though, she hadn’t felt wholewithhim in a very long time. Not when he came home late and didn’t bother to justify it or even let her know when to expect him back. Not when he’d neglected their anniversary for three years in a row.
Not when…
She closed her eyes, barring that last thought. Delving in right now would only slice open old wounds. Good thing she was wearing sunglasses because her eyes were suddenly burning.
“I thought that since we’re going to be godparents together, we could at least acknowledge each other occasionally.” He paused. “With actual words, instead of dirty looks.” That smile of his faltered a little.
She had a whole slew of words she could rattle off right now. Instead, she just said, “Hi.”
“There. Was that so hard?” He folded his arms over his broad, muscled chest. Once upon a time, she’d loved to rest her head there and listen to his heart beat.
“Yes,” she answered.
“One-word answers. We’ll advance to two-word responses next week.”
She didn’t feel the need to respond this time. Since her gaze was hidden behind shades, she cast her eyes down to look at his left hand. He still hadn’t taken off his wedding ring. She took hers off the night she left, leaving it on the pillow where she would never sleep again.
Her restaurant was fortunately built with an upstairs apartment. She and Sam had designed the layout together. Abby had wanted an apartment where she could stay after those late night private parties that she’d planned on booking.
The Landing was her dream restaurant, and for the last couple of years it had also been her home.
Why hasn’t Sam taken off his wedding ring?Yes, they were technically still married. Part of her was relieved he still wore the gold band. She resented that part. That was the weak side of herself that still loved him, despite it all.
“Goodbye, Sam,” she said, and then turned back to her vehicle.
“Two words. That’s definite progress.”
Before stepping into her Honda CR-V, a small smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. Luckily for her, Sam didn’t see it.
Sam usedto dread these weekly visits to see Dr. Marsha Dumont. Now, he kind of looked forward to chatting with the marriage therapist.
Yeah, it was a little odd that he went to marriage counseling alone. When Abby had asked him to go to counseling with her a couple of years ago, his response had been“hell no. We’re fine. We don’t need that crap.”That was about a year before she’d left. Little did he know he did need this “crap” after all.
Too little, too late. It took two people to work on fixing a marriage, and Abby evidently didn’t have hope for fixing it anymore.
Sam blew out a breath and headed inside the waiting area for Dr. Dumont. Within a couple of minutes, she came to the door and called him back.
“I saw Abby today,” he began once he was seated. Then he proceeded to recant the christening and Abby’s coldness toward him. She’d spoken, but only four words.
“Sam,” Dr. Dumont said kindly.
She was maybe the kindest woman he’d ever met. He’d been raised in a household of men though. His mom had died in childbirth with his brother Noah. Maybe that’s why Sam had neglected Abby’s needs so thoroughly. Maybe he was certifiably clueless as to what a woman needed…But no, he’d known. He just hadn’t been able to give her what she wanted most.
“You spoke to Abby, but did youreallytalk to her?”
He folded his arms over his chest. “What’s that even supposed to mean? I just told you I did.”
Dr. Dumont waited patiently.
He blew out a breath. “What am I supposed to say?I know you hate me, Abby. I’m not sure why. Maybe my flaws outweigh my good points, but I thought we were doing okay. Happy even. Guess that makes me stupid in addition to being a horrible husband. Please forgive me and try to love me again.”
He was well-aware that his tone of voice was sharp. Dr. Dumont didn’t even blink in its wake. Evidently, she was used to him by now.
“You have to take ownership of your mistakes. You told me yourself that you came home late most nights.”
“I was working and providing for my wife. That’s what a husband does.She’sthe one who walked away from this marriage, not me.She’sthe one who should be crawling back and telling me how she feels.”
Dr. Dumont smiled politely.
