Page 22 of The Next Of Us
“She did something else?”
“She came into my office again, so Max followed though on the plan we’d come up with and gave her two weeks notice.”
“Good.You should have done it sooner…”
“We were trying to avoid it.She’s a single mom—”
Her glare stoppered the rest of my sentence.“I don’t give two shits if she’s a single mom.You don’tdothat!Fuck her.And fuck you if her feelings mean more to you than mine.”
Nadine never lost her temper.Never.
“You’re absolutely right.”
“She had this much of an effect on you?”She yelled, incredulous.“Thissituation made you treatmelike this for all these months?”
Now was the time, the perfect opportunity.I swallowed hard, met her eyes, and opened my mouth.
Then swallowed the most bitter of words.
Instead, I blurted, “I’m not happy at work.I haven’t been for a long time.”
This was true, at least.
She stared at me slack jawed.“You’re unhappy other than the Lynda situation?But I thought you loved your job?”
I shook my head.“Not so much anymore.”
“What do you want to do?”
She still looked suspicious but settled back somewhat stiffly against me.
I rubbed her back, easing her closer.“I don’t know.I worked so hard, wanted so badly to make a difference—” I cut myself off, dangerously close to a cliff I wasn’t ready to throw myself off.“I feel guilty about leaving a position that provides desperately needed support to so many.”
Cupping my face, she leaned closer and pressed her forehead to mine.“Your needs are important, too, baby.You matter.”
I pressed my lips to her hair.
There were things I wanted, but I had only one need.
Her.
8
Dreams
Nadine
Aaron, my Aaron, was back.
The second morning at the cabin he brought me breakfast in bed.
With a smile.
This used to be an everyday occurrence when the kids were in school.In the morning, I was neither the best nor the brightest.If we had any hope of getting out the door on time, he needed to caffeinate me before my feet hit the floor.
By day four of our impromptu honeymoon, I expected it.
His warm chuckle announced his presence.“Hey, sleepyhead.”
