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“That’s normal.” She touches my elbow. “That’s your mind helping you cope with the pain.”
I never thought of it like that.
“Moving on doesn’t mean you were a bad husband.” Her lips quirk. “Or that you won’t be a good husband in the future.”
“Whoa.” I tap my hands into atime-outposition. “Slow your roll, First Lady.”
She laughs. “You know what I mean.”
“Rock wanted me to let you know when I’m planning to have Emily visit.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal.
“Yes, I’d love that. We can have you guys to dinner at our place if you’re worried,” she rolls her eyes toward the clubhouse, “certainbrothers might scare her away for the first visit.”
“I assume you’re referring to Rav?”
She snorts. “I plead the fifth.”
“Nah, if I’m ready to have her here, might as well give her the full experience.” My smile fades. “If we’re going to have a future, she has to accept the club too. Degenerates and all,” I say. “But thank you.”
“Maybe a Sunday family dinner when Downstate’s visiting would be nice?” she suggests. Hope won’t be happy until she has a firm commitment to bring Emily here. “Lilly and Emily planned Serena’s shower together and Lilly adored her. Maybe more familiar faces would help Emily feel comfortable. And you’ll have to invite Libby too, of course.”
“Maybe,” I agree to appease Hope. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if she’s on the phone with Lilly the second we end our conversation.
If I’m not careful our two first ladies will have Emily and me walking down the aisle, their kids as our flower girl and ring bearer, and building us a house out in the woods.
And I’m definitely not ready for any ofthat.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Emily
It’sdark by the time I arrive to pick up Libby. It’s a cool evening. I lean on my car in the circular parking lot with parents waiting for their kids.
Libby sent me a text about ten minutes ago saying the bus just got off the Thruway. How slow does that thing go?
The dad of one of Libby’s friends slides up next to me. Evan? Ethan? Eric? Something with an E, I think. In my head, I’ve always referred to him as creepy-old-dude-who-stares-at-my-tits. I zip my jacket up to my chin.
“Sounds like they had a good time,” he says.
While I hadn’t gotten as many updates as I would’ve liked, the messages Libbydidsend seemed positive. “It does.”
“Caroline’s trying to convince me to take her again next month. You and Libby should join us.”
Hell no. “Thank you, Eric—”
“Frank,” he corrects.
I nod to acknowledge his name. “I’ll ask my boyfriend if he can get off work.”
Of course the excuse backfires on me.
“I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend,” he says, not bothering to hide his disappointment. “What does he do?”
Fuck.“He runs his own business.” Dex said his MC owns Crystal Ball, he’s an officer in the club. Therefore, that’s close enough.
He opens his mouth as if he has follow-up questions but we’re interrupted by another parent. She slides up to Frank and wraps her hands around his arm in a possessive hold.
He’s all yours, lady.
