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The crease between his eyes deepens. “There must be something I can do.”
“Well, you can drive me to my meeting so I don’t make any random pit stops.”
His worried eyes say my joking tone didn’t gentle the delivery. “Done.”
My shoulders sag in relief that he doesn’t want to talk this out. “Thanks.”
He squeezes my hands. “Did something happen that upset you?”
I shake my head. “No, not at all. Some days are just harder than others. Some days it’s like I’m torturing myself and it’s easy to forget the why.”
“Hey.” He raises his index finger to my chin and nudges me to look at him. “Do me a favor, as cheesy as this is going to sound. Close your eyes.”
I raise my eyebrows.
He rolls his eyes. “Just do it.”
I do as he asks.
“I want you to picture ten years from now. Picture yourself, how you look, where you’re living, who you’re with… what kind of life are you living?”
I’ve never been one to look too far ahead. Eventually I do see an image of myself nearing forty. My hair is shorter and I’m in good health, which shows with a few more curves. I’m not in California, but I don’t know where I am. I’m happy and content. A man and two kids are running around a huge yard.
“Do you see it? Do you see the life you want?” he whispers.
I nod slowly. I suck in a breath, the visual clearing like a camera focusing. Jimmy’s smile as he chases and pulls a child in a fit of giggles into his arms. Another one latches onto his leg. All three look back at me, waving. All the current sins and destruction of our past are long behind us.
I blink open my eyes and meet his gaze. “I saw it.”
“That’s why you’re doing this. Any time you find yourself wondering that or struggling to push away temptation, picture that future.Thatis your why.”
* * *
I dropthe tin foil and it falls to the kitchen floor. “Shit.”
“Everything okay in here?” Jimmy walks into the kitchen.
“Yeah, the steam from the lasagna just got me when I took the foil off.” I close the oven door and pick up the tin foil.
“Can I do anything to help?” He leans over me, taking the foil from my hands and kissing my neck. “It smells delicious.”
I swivel my head to look at him. “Are you talking about the lasagna?”
He laughs, circling me with his arms. “No.” I lightly slap his chest, and his arms grow tighter. “Damn Tripp.”
I shake my head. “Take the salad out to the table on the deck.”
“Sure thing.” He kisses me one more time, his lips falling down my neck. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I sink into his strong arms for a moment. “Now, go.”
He laughs.
I remove the garlic bread from the packaging. “Oh, and leave the Saran Wrap on until we’re ready to eat!”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Smartass,” I mumble.
