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“Here’s my first project!” I twirl into the room, adding flare to my spin.
“Jesus.” Marco is wide-eyed with alarm.
“Poppy, cut it out,” Evin chides.
“I’m wearing my brace!”
“One more week.” He refers to Jesse’s agreement to let me start dancing techniques.
“Is this an apartment?” Marco glances around.
“Yes, would you like to see what I have planned?”
“Love to.”
Evin’s phone dings and he frowns at whatever is on the screen. “I need to make a quick call.”
“Everything okay?”
“I’ll be right downstairs.” He kisses me and takes off before I can question further.
“I’ll look around.” Grady’s gone in a blink.
“Well, that was subtle,” I murmur.
“Are you uncomfortable being alone with me?”
“Not really.” I shrug, opening my idea binder Ashlyn helped create. “It works out well because I can show you what I’ve picked without Evin looming. Some of it’s a surprise.”
Why I feel Marco needs to be involved in my secrets beats me, but I chalk it up to excitement.
“Let’s see.” He steps close and the familiar scent hits me. “You wear the same cologne?”
“I never stopped.”
A tinge of sadness creeps in and before I can stop, the words come tumbling out. “I’m surprised Karen allowed that.”
He purses his lips, holding back.
“It’s okay if you want to talk about her.”
“It doesn’t feel appropriate. This is about us.”
“We don’t have to pretend she doesn’t exist.”
“She’s in denial. In public, she’s keeping up appearances, but behind closed doors, she’s a mess. She wanted to accompany me on this trip.”
“Why?”
“She thinks if she can make amends with you, I’ll change my mind about the divorce.”
“Is that true?”
“No.” His answer is adamant and steadfast, not a hint of reluctance.
I snap my mouth shut before I can pry into something so intimate.
“You can ask.”
“It’s none of my business.”
“If it’s on your mind, ask. I made peace with my decisions and you deserve answers.”
Now my curiosity is running wild. One thing I know is whatever he has to say has nothing to do with our reunion.
“You and Karen have been married over thirty years. It can’t be easy.”
“Our marriage hit the rocks twelve years ago.”
“Twelve years ago?”
“That’s when I discovered her first affair. Right before your senior year.”
“Oh my God, who was she sleeping with?”
He quirks an eyebrow quizzically. “Does it matter?”
“No, I guess not. But why? I thought you had a great marriage.”
“That makes two of us. She blamed it on my hours at work, the pressure of being an executive wife, Natasha graduating and leaving for college.”
I note not one of those things included me. “Those sound like a bunch of bullshit excuses.”
“They were. What it boils down to is she wasn’t happy. She somehow convinced herself that life in public service and politics would be the solution. I forgave her and saved my marriage. Politics had always intrigued me and it came easy. Getting involved locally came with a renewed excitement.”
“Wow, I thought my senior year was great because we all connected without the drama of Tasha. Guess it was that political excitement,” I reply sarcastically.
“It was awesome because we connected. It was one of the best years of my life. My God, Poppy, I witnessed my beautiful daughter take hold of her world and crush her goals. You became my inspiration. If you could chase your dreams, so could I. It’s what finally prompted me to step back from the grueling hours and work commitments. I made sure I was alongside you every step of the way. That’s why I went to Mrs. Canon and tried to get involved in your pursuit of scholarships. Finances weren’t an issue and weren’t holding you back.”
“That’s what you meant in the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“Unfortunately, I was blind to the reality until it was too late.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Grady brought me to my senses. If we have any chance at starting fresh, the truths must come out.”
“You said Karen’s first affair, did she have others?”
“At least two that I’m aware of. The political bug may have been infectious, but the world captured her. While I wanted to make a difference, she discovered a playground of power. Natasha rode that same high. I was stupid to think running and winning the Senate seat would bring things back to normal. My only solace was you were untouched and safe in North Carolina. Then I met Isaac and my protective instincts lit on fire. Evin probably told you how I let that play out.”
“Getting my heart stomped on and humiliated was a life-changing experience.”
“I’m not proud of my decisions nor my handling of things. But as you said, it eventually led you to Evin.”
I suck in a breath, narrowing my eyes. “You don’t get to throw my words back at me. You did not know how my life would pan out.”
“I knew, no matter what happened, you’d be better off without the people we had become. From the day we walked away, your protection became my priority.”
