Page 102 of My Husband Problem

By the time we pull into her driveway, I have a plan. For tonight at least.

I need to show her that I can be okay with things just as they are.

I punch in the code on the front door, then let her step in ahead of me.

“Why don’t you go up and take a bath or something?” I ask.

Some time alone and self-care is surely a good call. And I need some time to get the rest of my plan in place.

“Then you can get into some comfortable clothes to relax in.”

Her brows are arched, but she must see something in my expression—probably desperation—that makes her nod.

She might believe thatI’mthe one who needs a little time alone to process.

She’s not entirely wrong.

“Sounds great,” she says. “We can…talk…more later?”

“Sure. Anything you want.” I mean that with everything in me.

She gives me a smile, then shocks me by lifting on tiptoe and kissing my cheek. “Okay.”

I feel my pulse beating so hard I swear she can hear it. I watch her ascend the stairs.

Fuck.

She’s in pain.

I grip my hand into a fist, take a deep breath, then pull my phone out of my pocket and text Miles.

I need Nora’s phone number.

CHAPTER 20

ASTRID

I’ll admitthat I agreed to the bath for Declan's sake. He clearly needs a little time to think through everything and process his emotions.

But once I’m in the tub, neck deep in my favorite strawberries-and-cream bubble bath, I realize that I won’t need his body wash to assist my orgasm tonight. I’ll have the real thing. I sink deeper into the tub with a huge smile.

I also realize this is the perfect chance to shave and exfoliate prior to sexy times with my husband for the first time.

So I stay in the tub longer than I’d intended, and I’m in a weird state of excitement and relaxation when I descend the stairs.

Knowing that my muscle tightness has improved and that Declan finally knows everything that’s going on has left me in a state of euphoria I haven’t felt since I don’t know when. But there is adrenaline pumping through my system, anticipating the night ahead, along with a few nerves about how it will go.

What if it doesn’t work?

What if he gets all excited about this and I have to stop partway through?

What if…

I stop partway down the stairs and take a few deep breaths.

Am I ready for this?

I’m not sure.