I don’t know how long I stood there looking at him. He had broken me and now he was trying to save my marriage. I loved him. There was no denying that.
I watched as he brought his cellphone to his ear and jumped when the phone on the side of the bed began to ring. I looked at the phone and then over at him. He held up his phone, letting me know it was him calling. Picking it up, I didn’t say anything. I could hear him breathing on the other side. Like a fly attracted to the light, I walked over to the window, phone glued to my ear. Nate smiled when he spotted me.
“Hi,” he whispered. My stomach dropped. “Did you find everything okay?”
“Yes.”
Nate’s tongue ran across his lips. “I’m sorry. I should’ve gone to Chica—”
“Don’t.” I shook my head. “What good is an apology ten years too late?”
He huffed. “Tell me what I can do to make you forgive me.”
“You don’t want my forgiveness, Nate.”
“I do.”
“No.” I shook my head. “You want the guilt to stop, but I can’t help you with that. You made your bed—now lie in it. You want to help? Help Julian. The quicker you do that, the quicker I can get out of here and go home.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear, hung up, and walked away from the window. Turning off the light, I crawled into bed.
Sleep.
I desperately needed sleep.
I woke up the following morning to a soft tap on the door. Disoriented, I shoved off the mattress as I blurrily scanned the room and my brain registered where I was. Wiping the drool from the side of my face, I stumbled to the door and was greeted by Nate. The scruff around his face had been shaved clean, and his fitted suit hugged his body.
“Morning. Brought you this.” He handed me a travel mug. The aroma of rich coffee was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my sleepy haze. “I forgot that we didn't stock the kitchen.”
Nervously, I gripped the cup and crossed my arms over my braless chest. “Thanks.”
“Delaney took Caleb to school and then she's off to work. I have a meeting, but as soon as it's done, I'll be back.”
“I don't need a babysitter.”
“I’m not babysitting you. Julian will be here soon, and I told him I’d pick him up from the airport.” Nate dropped his tone and stepped closer, his eyes landing on my cheek. “How did you hurt yourself?” His thumb grazed my chin and I winced at his touch.
“It's nothing.” I jerked way. It usually took two days for a slapped cheek to bruise; a backhand was a few hours to a day depending on the force, and I had cause to know a ruptured eardrum took roughly two months to heal. “I rolled off the couch.”
Nate scanned my eyes. “I'll be back in an hour or so. If you need anything—”
I raised my hand to stop him. “I have a car. I have a cell phone. I lived in Charlotte before. I'm fine, Nate. You don't need to worry about me.”
“Okay.” He smiled and walked back down the steps. I was admiring his behind in his fitted pants when he turned back to face me. “Oh, nice shirt by the way.” He winked.
I glanced down at my shirt and slammed the door shut. The sweater I slept in most nights was the same sweater I’d taken from the back seat of his truck when I’d been caught in the rain all those years ago. “Asshole,” I muttered to the wooden door.
The coffee Nate handed me was perfect. Exactly how I liked it. He remembered. I showered, tamed the beast that was my hair, and covered the bruise on my cheek with makeup. The dark circles under my eyes had faded, and it was the first time my hair was down since being here. When I glanced in the mirror, I looked like me.
Turning on the TV, I flipped through the channels. The news was depressing, cooking didn’t interest me, and reality TV still wasn’t worse than my own life. “Crap!” I shut the TV off and tossed the remote. I sent a text message to Yve and ask her if our boss Tony was in.
Yve: Don't worry about it, babe. I covered for you.
Me: What did you say?
Yve: That your brother-in-law died and you were at the wake.
Me: Are you insane? That's a terrible excuse.
Yve: Satan goes near you and I'll personally kill him myself.
Me: Be nice. He's being good.
Yve: OMG! YOU’RE ALREADY DEFENDING HIM???? COME HOME NOW!
Me: I'm not defending him. He's picking up Julian at the airport. We'll be home soon.
Yve: Keep me posted.
Tossing my phone where I left the remote, I decided some fresh air would do me good. I'd gone over what I planned to say to Julian once he arrived, but it still didn’t make the anticipation any easier. Would he be mad that I left? Was he willing to change his ways?