AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good lord, that’s obscene.”
“I know.” She accepted the glass from Tancy.
“I didn’t expect anything and told him I owed him since he helped when I got Laura and her girls out of the house.”
“Speaking of that, how did it go yesterday?”
“We got everything we asked for, and she should be leaving town tomorrow with her parents. I can handle to final divorce decree without her needing to be present.”
“You did good, Tanc.”
“I just did my job.”
“It was a lot more than that.”
“Perhaps a little too much.” She pulled out an apron decorated with rolling pins and tied it around her waist. “Teague may decide that being with someone who goes above and beyond is too much trouble.”
“Is that the story you’re telling yourself?”
“Yes!”
“So that’s what is bothering you.” Faith frowned. “I thought it was about returning to DC.”
“Maybe it’s both.”
“Was Teague grunty and bossy instead of understanding and compassionate?” She asked before sitting at the kitchen table?
“He didn’t care for the risk I took and how it made him feel.”
“And in real speak, what does that mean?”
She gusted out a frustrated breath. “He was about a solution and not compassion.”
“You know, no matter what we tell ourselves, women are not the only ones that have lost out because of the patriarchy. Men have also paid the price because they were taught to deny their emotions. Or risk being mocked for them. They are valued for being a provider or protector in Teague’s case. If he reacted harshly, it had to result from being in a situation outside his control. Most guys were never taught emotional skills or how to connect, so they arrive at the party mostly unprepared. Which means they show anger or frustration when they’re scared.”
“I think Teague has a lot more emotional intelligence than most. And if I were in his shoes, I might’ve reacted the same way.”
“So, what’s really bothering you?”
“What if he thinks I’m too much and not worth the hassle?”
“Then it will be his loss.”
“And mine, too,” she mumbled before pulling out bowls and measuring cups. “Do you think it’s weird that I wanted to be alone after the incident?”
“Not really.” She moved the napkin holder shaped like a penguin. “You’ve been flying solo for a long time.”
“I thought I might feel differently now that I’m in a committed relationship.” She restacked her rainbow measuring cups. “Shouldn’t I want to talk about it or just have him at my side?”
“If he was serving judgment, then it’s not surprising you wanted to have a moment to make sense of things.”
“Maybe.” She straightened her apron. “I don’t know how the together and separate thing is supposed to work.”
“I think that just takes time and some careful negotiation.”
“Perhaps.” She opened the cupboard, pulled out the flour and sugar, and set them on the counter.
“My mom always told me that finding a balance in a romantic relationship is one of the most challenging tightwire acts a person can take on.”
