Page 87 of First Date: Divorce
That’s what her mother said while she eked out pennies to pay for the clothes she believed she needed, dieted to stay thin, applied makeup so carefully.All to try to find a man to love heras she was.
“What?”K.D.echoed, buying time.
“Your mother couldn’t wait until she could what?”
“Sorry.I, uh, lost track of what I was saying.”
Melody gave her a close look, but let it pass.“How do you think your mother’s relationship has affected your marriage?”
“It hasn’t affected it at all.”
Melody looked at her for a long moment, then turned her questions back to the supposed relationship between K.D.and Eric.
*
K.D.had a long conversation with Izzy in the hot tub.Hearing a little too much about closet trysts for her taste.
Izzy also said that for the week-long program they had group sessions for women only and men only.“Even with a counselor there, it’s less formal.You can let your hair down more.It makes it easier to share stories, advice, and lessons learned, you know.Though I like the informal moments like this the best.”
It might also be a great time to pick up information that would be valuable to Gail Bledsoe.
Izzy went on to talk at length about her marriage.About the good years, the bad years, and the years that swung from good to bad and back.
K.D.wedged in a few questions to draw out what Izzy knew of the background on employees.
The older woman had only good things to say about the people and the place.
“First time we came, we learned the average couple waits six years after the going gets tough before seeing a counselor or therapist.By that time, habits are dug in deep.You two are smart to act sooner than that.
“Coming to a place like this is cheaper than regular therapy or a resort vacation, much less both.”She winked.“And Orion does like those closets.Guess your Eric does, too.Speaking of your Eric, here he comes.”
K.D.turned her head and her first thought was that she’d been right thinking Eric’s pajama bottoms covered him more than a swimsuit would.Now she had the proof.
Well, maybe not her first thought.
“Time for me to get out of this hot tub,” Izzy said.“Have a hot date with Orion.”
Now she knew Eric’s back was as muscled as his chest, as he offered Izzy a hand and she accepted with a twinkling look up into his face.“We still have a few minutes before lunch.Are you going to join your wife?”
That innocent question prickled a jolt through K.D.
“Not right now,” he said easily.
With Izzy on her way, he stretched flat on a nearby chaise with his eyes closed.
K.D.hadn’t factored in strong sunlight affecting what she could see during her swimsuit vs.pajamas calculations.
Which meant he’d see her more clearly, too.
If he joined her in the hot tub…
She climbed out with as little commotion as she could, but in the moment before she wrapped the towel around her, his eyes slitted open.
“Mrs.Cavendish?”he asked.
“Yes.”This swimsuit was one of the purchases K.D.resisted.Now she was glad she’d gotten it.
Only because it turned out she needed the suit.
