Page 87 of The Marriage Narrative
“That was the secret back entrance to Grim’s Berry Farm,” he confirmed.
Her seat belt was off the second he pulled into the small dirt parking lot, and she had one foot out the door before he even cut the engine.
“Hold on, hold on,” he said, laughing. “I want to talk about one more thing before we go.”
She held back the adorable whine he’d come to expect whenever her impatience got the best of her. It was in her eyes, though—he leaned across the console until it was replaced by anticipation.
Lately, whenever they were this close, his first instinct was to kiss her. He resisted. Every time. “Did you think I wouldn’t believe you about the clicker? Or that I wouldn’t take your side?”
Disappointment flashed across her face. “It’s not about sides, Jordan.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
His blood boiled every time he thought about the damn thing. The camera pods had been ordered to never use or mention it near him.
Zinnia hated it. The PAs confessed to having a running bet for how long it’d take her to drop-kick someone. One of the bolder producers had even promised a bonus to whoever caught the outburst on camera.
What else had they been doing to her?
What else was production keeping from him?
Jordan had been so deliriously angry that it took Sadie playing theStop stressing me out! I’m pregnant and I need you there, damn it!card to stop him from going full scorched-earth.
“Because, back then, complaining meant they won.” She shrugged. “Making things harder for you would’ve felt worse than being subjected to clicker torture.”
At a loss for words, he pressed his fist against his mouth. That selfless streak would be the death of him. How could his wifeadvocate so fiercely for everyone else but actively choose to do nothing for herself? His heart wouldn’t survive her.
Zinnia began staring straight ahead, through the windshield but not at any one thing. “I used to think that Grace and Fiona fell in love with each other and not me because I always ask them for too much. I didn’t want to risk you feeling…lessfor me because I’m too needy.”
He didn’t like that she never looked at him while sharing hidden pieces of herself but understood why. She was giving him the parts she was most afraid to expose. Breathless, all in a rush,here take them quickly before I stop myself. She wanted him to have them but couldn’t bear to watch him take them.
“You’re not too much and I don’t want less,” he pledged softly. “I think we need a sabbatical. We’ll take a month off to regroup and then pick back up filming from there.”
“I don’t think they’d let us do that.”
“If it were possible, would you want to go?”
She licked her lips. Started to answer, only to stop herself. Fidgeted in her seat. He’d never seen her so clearly struggle against something she truly wanted. “It’ll make things worse when they just started getting better. They’ll find a way to blame me.”
“No, they won’t. They get it now—you’re a superhero, not a villain. If I secure a sabbatical, will you leave with me?”
“Well, I’m notstayingwithout you.” She held his gaze.
His breath caught in his throat. He didn’t realize just how much he needed to hear her say that until she did. She was choosing him. He wasn’t surprised but…it was momentous all the same, healing something in him that had been broken for ten years.
“Then let’s go.”
Grim’s Berry Farm was a county staple and supplier.Beginning as advertised, over the years they expanded into a full fruit and vegetable operation. Their strategic partnership withZaffre Hoursinvolved only being featured every other year. The gap insured public attention would wane until they were forgotten and the quaint orchard could go viral again.
Wylie and Lulie (and Eric) were already picking out their baskets and waved them over.
“You go,” Jordan said to Zinnia. “I need to talk to my dad first.”
“Don’t take too long,” she warned, walking away. “I’m watching you.”
“Good.”
Jordan waited near the prepackaged fruit stand for his dad to finish talking to Griff, the current owner. His mom was noticeably, predictably absent.
