Page 108 of First Date: Divorce
K.D.saw them exchange a significant look, then Kiernan left, while Bexley continued telling her about how Eric pitched in with making decorations and presents for kids snowbound with them.
Kiernan joined Eric, along with Cully, Ellyn, Pauline, and Jessa.
Then Eric moved toward her and Bexley shoved her in his direction.Not subtle, but effective.
They were quickly shuffled into the little sewing room they’d taken her to that first day, the door closed firmly behind them, leaving them alone.The mirrors reflected back slices and angles of her and Eric, as if it might let them see all of each other if they could put together all those images.
“K.D.,” he said.
She cleared her throat.“Hi, Eric.”
“I suppose we should congratulate each other on doing the job.”
“We could do that.Or I could tell you I’ve accepted a job with the Shakespeare County Sheriff’s Department.Including some investigating.”
His smile set every line and plane of his face into the perfect position.But only for a second.“Congratulations.”He meant it, but it was for the career move.
She needed to make her priorities clear.
“Thank you.So, if you still … Well, distance wouldn’t be an issue.”
“No.Distance wouldn’t be an issue.”
She nodded, as if he’d said more than that.“But you’re wondering about other issues.”
“Yeah.I am.Because I’ve been thinking.A lot.When we started this, I was right there with you, K.D.Never marrying again.No way in hell.Would have said — probablydidsay — I didn’t believe in the institution.But I don’t know if that was ever true.Too many good marriages in my family, among my friends, for me to dismiss the whole thing.So, then, I thought maybe it just wasn’t for me.”
“But now you think it is for you?Even after seeing those couples at Marriage-Save?After all the stuff they have to be counseled for?”
“That’s exactly what I think — that it is for me.Because of the couples who come out the other side.That’s what I want.That’s my bottom line.”He reached one hand toward her, then let it drop.
“Eric, remember the questions on that assessment?Statements actually, most of them.There was one about whether this was turning into a relationship I hadn’t bargained for…”
“I remember.How’d you answer?”
“Then?I said no.Now … I don’t know.”
“Not knowing’s a start.I’m not saying we’d jump right there.Not even saying I want a guarantee we’ll get there eventually.But I have to know there’s a chance.For marriage.For a family.That the door isn’t locked before we even try to open it.”
“Okay.”
“Because— Okay?”
“Yes, okay.Taking small moments of turning toward the positive.”She put her arms around his neck.“You’ve won your case, counselor.”
*
On the drive back to his house — after the shortest, most incoherent of good-byes to the others — they talked.
Talking was a heck of a lot safer for them and anyone else on the roads than what they wanted to do.
She gave him details of the dealings with Gail Bledsoe and figuring out Lily was the Marriage-Save insider feeding her information.He told her about the news conference and the reaction in town.
She described the call to her mother.
“You were right, Eric.So was Melody.I wasn’t seeing that my mother’s happy with Mark, because I saw them through my own lens.”
He cut a look toward her as they exited the interstate.
