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It was a blow to his ego, and for that alone, I shouldn’t have been so hopeful this would be easy.
Pausing outside of the parish doors, I wait for Lachlan to enter the building first. Formalities and all, with the watchful eyes of my so-called friends staring at us in the distance.
This is going to be everywhere now.
Avery Matheson filing for divorce from her dear husband, the great Kevin Matheson.
The red mark is going to be attached to me forever now in Charleston society. I will wear it with pride. I didn’t fall down to him. I stood up bravely and took back my life. They can go to hell for judging me.
Lost in my thoughts, I follow Lachlan into his office. It’s time to talk to him about my life with Kevin.
“Avery,” Lachlan says gently while shutting and locking his office door. He comes up to comfort me. His warmth seeps into my body as I wrap my arms around his waist tightly, and he returns the embrace.
Being in his arms feels like my sanctuary. With him by my side, I can get through this. The whole situation is just all so much, and I don’t want to bring him down with me.
I put my head on his shoulder and take a deep breath. A tear starts to trickle down my face. I don’t want to cry about this any more than I already have. Before I can wipe my cheek, Lachlan swoops in and gently brushes it with his thumb.
“Avery, baby. I know this is hard, but I have to know. Why did he show up like this today? What’s been happening? Let me in.”
Taking another deep breath, I tell myself I can do this.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
So, I do.
I tell Lachlan all about the past several weeks and my plans. I share details about the video and how I left him by leaving a note. I explain how he’s been silent the past couple of days, how I felt embarrassed, and that I didn’t think he would come to find me in a public place.
Lachlan just holds me in his arms, wiping away tears as they trickle down my cheeks.
“Avery, I’m so sorry that you’ve been dealing with this alone.”
“Thank you, Lachlan. Thank you for being here for me.”
“Always.”
I pull my head away from his chest and look up at him.
“You mean that, don’t you?”
Lachlan seems to have no reservations about being with me. The truth of it all is that I need to take some time from this, from us.
Time to think and time to breathe.
A warm smile plays on his mouth, and fine lines appear around his eyes. Knowing that I get his true smiles almost makes me want to change my mind about what I know I need to do right now.
“Of course I do. Whatever you need from me, I’m here,” he answers matter-of-factly.
Being with Lachlan is a relationship I want to last. I need to come to terms with everything on my own. That I seduced my priest unapologetically. That I left my husband. That now, everyone I know will be spun a story from Kevin, and I have no control over that narrative.
Without breaking eye contact, I say what I need to.
“I think I’m going to take tonight to myself. It’s been a rollercoaster of a day. A week. Weeks. Months, really,” I stammer.
“I understand. Just because we both feel what we do doesn’t mean we can’t pause what’s happening. No matter what, I’m here for you. I care about you. You know that, right?”
Lachlan’s smile doesn’t fade after the blow I just landed.
I know the words he’s saying are true. He’s looking at me as I gaze at him, soaking in his words. I can’t help but sigh.
