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Within six months, Leonard and I were married. My family and friends wore miserable faces throughout the ceremony. They’d seen the unhealthy relationship between us, and my mom had tried to dissuade me from marriage several times.
It didn’t take long before Leonard’s real colors began to emerge. I started to come out of the bubble we had created for ourselves by reaching out to my friends. Leonard started criticizing them. No one was good enough. I stopped meeting up with them to keep peace at home. Then Leonard started drinking, and that’s when his nastiness and controlling tendencies emerged completely.
His choice of weapon was words, and he knew the sharpest, most hurtful words to use. With every unprovoked attack, my self-esteem plummeted. I forgot who I was without Leonard. I gave him power over me. By that time, I was working in the only wedding outfit store in town. I was happiest during the day. In the evenings, it felt like going to prison. I waited tensely to see what sort of mood he would be in. If he were happy, I’d relax, and the evening would be fun. The Leonard I knew at the beginning would be back, and hope would fill my chest.
Until the next time when he came home reeking of alcohol and a mean sneer on his face. Waiting for anything that would make him explode.
No, thank you. I know the patterns of relationships. I’ve been burned once, and it was enough. It doesn’t matter how charming Declan is. You never knew what lurked underneath a person once you opened your heart to them.
The sweet scent of frying bacon wafts up the stairs as I make my way to the kitchen. I giggle at the sight of Declan in a white apron over his boxer briefs.
“The naked chef,” I say as I slide onto a barstool. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve got.”
He shot me a playful look as he poured the coffee into mugs. “I’ve got more than bacon and toast.”
“I bet you do,” I say and slide my gaze over his body. I’m glad that the earlier tension between us has dissipated, and we’ve gone back to our easy flirtatious relationship.
He serves us breakfast on the island, and we eat in companionable silence.
“Busy day today?” Declan asks.
“The usual,” I tell him and then remember Mom’s wedding that I’m supposed to plan and groan. “I just remembered I have to have a preliminary meeting with Mom.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’re looking forward to it,” Declan says.
“Not even close,” I say and make a face that makes him laugh. “Can you imagine planning your own mother’s wedding? You may have noticed, but my mom is not exactly conventional.”
He chuckles. “She’s awesome. But if it bothers you so much, you should give it to one of your colleagues. Sort of like the way a doctor wouldn’t treat their mother, or an attorney would not represent his parents in court.”
I look at him as if he'd handed me the secret to aging. “You’re a genius. I’ll give it to Eric. They’ll get along superbly.” I feel as if a weight has been lifted off me.
I take a long appreciative sip of my coffee. “Hey, we never made it to your new shop.”
Declan’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “For a very good reason.”
My face heats up, which is silly because I’ve never been the type of woman to be embarrassed by her sexuality.
“So, I was thinking. Can I come by today? Maybe in the evening, after hours?”
“Perfect. The crew working on the remodeling will be gone for the day, and I can show you everything,” Declan says.
We wash up and go back upstairs to get ready for the day. We part ways in the hallway. Declan goes to the guest room while I go to my room. I sing as I shower, feeling inordinately pleased with my life.
I take extra care when dressing and applying makeup. I love loud red lipstick, and yes, I know a lot of people think it’s over the top, but it cheers me up. There’s something about looking good that puts a bounce in a person’s step.
Declan is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, and he whistles when I emerge.
“How tempting it is,” he says, caressing me with his gaze.
I laugh softly as I take in his appearance. I used to be attracted to slim, compact guys, but now I see the appeal in big guys. I ogle Declan’s shirt and the way it stretches across his massive chest and let out a sigh.
“Let’s go; I don’t want to be responsible for your lateness,” Declan says.
When we reach my car, Declan pulls me into his arms and kisses me full on the mouth without care that my neighbors could be watching us.
