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On my wedding band.
Her huge grin faded and a scowl took its place.
"I guess it's a good idea to exchange numbers," she said quickly. "In case one of us looks closer later and needs insurance information."
"I guess. But also, in case you want to meet here for a visit, eager to lose some money to a couple of old coots. And me." I put on my best sly grin. "Or meet for coffee or dinner or something. Without a couple of old coots."
Her smile was tighter than before.
"Sure. Sure thing," she said, but I could tell she was being polite and had no intention of ever answering my call.
God damn it.
I should have taken my wedding ring off the day Marie told me she wanted a divorce, but at first I'd hoped to save the marriage.
Then I just forgot about it. I hadn't been worried about it because I hadn't been looking or flirting.
I had no desire to date yet. Not until today.
Who would’ve thought I’d meet the woman of my dreams at a senior home?
I should have told her that my divorce would be final, probably within a month or two. That my marriage had been over long before my wife cheated on me a year ago. We had lived separate lives for the past year and were finally officially calling it quits.
I decided that Iwouldtell her about the pending divorce, without giving any details. I knew she'd probably smile tightly and nod.
A lot of cheating, married men trotted out that line.
But in my case, it was true.
"Lana, I know what you must–"
"Hey!" My brother Todd ran up to us. "Sorry I'm late. I got here as fast as I could. Did I miss much?"
The whole time he spoke to me, he was looking at Lana. I could see the stars form in his eyes.
Todd was twenty-five, five years younger than me, probably closer to Lana's age. And he'd dated more women at twenty-five than I had.
He was young and hip, with a sense of humor that made most people like him. At least until they got to know him.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said, clearly not meaning what he said.
"You missed the surprise," I grumbled. "You should at least go let him know you're here." I motioned toward Grandpa, where a little white-haired lady was giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Be right back," he said to Lana, not me. “Don’t go anywhere.”
I knew Todd was probably going to monopolize the rest of Lana’s time, so if I was going to tell her I was in the process of a divorce, I had to do it then. I wanted to make sure she'd welcome my call because I absolutely had to see this woman again.
"Lana–"
"Mr. Easton?" a nurse with bright red hair said as she touched my shoulder. "Can I talk to you for a minute about David? It’s important."
I tried my best to hide my frustration. Could the timing have been any worse?
"Excuse me," Lana said, and she headed back to our grandfathers, where Todd bumped his shoulder against hers and said something she laughed at.
I followed the nurse out of the dining room, giving Lana one last look, hoping like hell I hadn't just blown my chance.
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