Page 40 of Thankful
“I did,” I say, resting my head on his chest, settling into this feeling of being safe in his arms again. Being married, loved, valued, and cared for again. I’m optimistic about our future, and especially his new business venture.
I say, “I think opening your own practice is a great idea.”
“It’s funny how life works.”
“Why you say that?” I ask, finding his left hand with my right.
“You had suggested it to me about two years ago, and I didn’t think such a thing could be a possibility. Besides, I already knew how my parents would react to it, especially my mother.”
“I know. I’m so sorry she reacted the way she did.”
“It’s not your fault, sweetheart.”
“I know, but I also know how much you value your parents’ opinion of you. And while we’re on that subject, look, Brix—” I sit up so I can see his face, his eyes, and continue, “I know how much your parents mean to you, but at some point, you need to do what you love. It’s not like we get a do-over in life. We only get one crack at this thing, and that’s it. We need to make our days count.”
“You’re right. That’s why I think I’m going to go full steam ahead with opening this practice. It’ll be one of the best things that has happened in Christenbury Hills in a long time.”
“It will be,” I say, all smiles. “I’m so proud of you.” I place a kiss on his lips.
“Thank you, Cyn,” he says, “but you know it’ll be a lot of long hours to get it off the ground. I need you to be okay with that.”
“I am. That’s completely understandable. And I’ma be right there beside you doing what I can to help.”
“That’s my girl,” he says, lifting his head to kiss my forehead.
“Hey, what are you going to do about your mother?”
“I’ll talk to her before their flight leaves tonight.”
“Okay, good. You had me worried there for a moment. I’d never heard you talk to Faith like that before.”
“That’s why I left. I just snapped—couldn’t take it anymore.”
“I know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like that before.”
“Well, when you lose everything, it tends to make a man lose his mind. And byeverything, I meanyou.”
I sit up and look at him. “I honestly didn’t think you cared that I moved out.”
“Of course I cared. In my mind, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I provided you with a good life, and you still left. For months, I was left in the dark about us, but too wrapped up withwork to sit down and really think it through. It didn’t really hit me until you told me you weren’t in love with me anymore.”
“I didn’t mean that, Brix.”
“I know, but it still served as the wakeup call I needed. I’m sorry it took me most of the year to finally understand.”
“Well, better late than never.”
“Yeah, baby girl. Better late than never.”
chapter fourteen.
brix
[two years later]
“Brix, you can’tbe late to your own grand opening,” she tells me as I step into the shower with her this morning, packing steel, heat, and desire - a deadly combo for us both. It’s obvious what I want. If she didn’t see it in my eyes, she saw it when she glanced down. There is no missing that.
I say, “It’s my grand opening, Cynnabun, meaning they have no choice but to wait until I’m done getting into your grand opening.”
