Page 63 of Boss of Attraction
“Thanks, Dad.” He checked the time on his phone. “Shoot, I gotta go. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye,” I called out as he rushed out the door.
Later that night, I sat on my bed and used a pair of scissors to open a box filled with family mementos. Sitting inside, on top of everything else, was my wedding album. Like every other time I looked at the black leather-bound book, I was filled with happy memories of the times Melinda and I got to share for over twenty years, but that joy quickly mixed with sadness since her life had been cut far too short. With everything else going on in my life, I couldn’t help but think back to a conversation she and I had shared shortly after she was placed in hospice care.
Melinda reached for my hand as I sat next to her bed. “I want you to promise you’ll try to find happiness again in whatever way you can.”
I stroked the back of her hand with my thumb. “Let’s not talk about that right now.”
It was hard enough knowing our time together was limited. I didn’t feel like spending whatever precious moments we had left talking about my future without her.
“You can’t avoid it forever. And it will give me peace to know you aren’t just going to throw yourself into work and forget how to enjoy life.”
Of course, after so many years together, she knew that was exactly how I’d likely deal with my grief.
“I hate thinking about any of that.”
She gave me a small smile. “I do too, but whether or not we talk about it, it’s going to happen. So, can you please promise me?”
I nodded. “Okay, honey. I promise.”
“Ah, Melinda,” I spoke out loud, as I did occasionally, hoping she could hear me. “I lied to you when I made that promise. You worried I’d throw myself into work, and that’s exactly what I did.”
I opened the album and scanned the first photo. It was of us standing at the front of the church, holding each other’s hands as we recited our vows.
“Things have changed, though.” I let out a small laugh. “A lot. I’ve met someone who makes me smile again.”
For some reason, saying those words to Melinda didn’t feel weird. I had loved her wholeheartedly, and if things were different, we’d probably still be together. But that wasn’t the hand life had dealt me. And I didn’t feel like I was betraying her by pursuing a connection with someone new, because my happiness had been important to her.
“You’d probably be surprised to find out it’s with a guy, though. Who would have seen that coming?” I flipped through a few more pages. “I definitely didn’t. But I think a relationship with him could be good for me.”
I finished looking at the pictures and set the album aside. Melinda would always have a place in my heart, but I also felt a sense of peace come over me after my confession to her. It was as if she had sent me a silent message telling me she was happy that I was finally embracing the life she wanted for me.
All that was left was telling Declan how I was feeling. I picked up my cell phone from my nightstand and sent him a message:
Can you come over? I’d really like to talk
21
DECLAN
“Want to go grab a drink?”Camille asked when she stopped at my cubicle.
I glanced at the time to see it was after five and Sean once again hadn’t returned to the office after court. I was a little disappointed because I missed him when he was away. It was strange because I’d never been so interested in a person before as I was in Sean Ashford.
Each morning, I looked forward to walking into the office and seeing him behind his desk. Well, I had always been excited to do that, but now it was different. It wasn’t because I was a baby attorney and had to prove myself; it was because every shared look, every sly wink, every furtive roaming of our eyes over the other’s body while no one was looking, felt like lighting a stick of dynamite that left me wanting to explode.
Explode down his throat.
Explode buried deep inside of him.
Explode whilehewas deep inside ofme.
Even though Sean had never been with a guy before, it didn’t feel as though he didn’t know what he was doing. I often fantasized about locking his office door and doing it again while everyone in the office had no clue what was going on behind the closed door.
“Yeah, I’m just finishing up this discovery request,” I replied to Camille. “Give me five and I can head out.”
“Yay! My mother-in-law is in town and I’m dreading going home. I need a few drinks to relax and not be stressed when I walk in the door.”
