Page 131 of Perfect Satisfaction

“Do you know her?”

“No. I can’t say I do.” Nor has he mentioned her.

His eyes probe mine before he nods and murmurs absently, “Maybe someday. They’re still friends.”

“Maybe,” I reply noncommittedly. That’s when I come up to the next photo and freeze—a framed photo of Arek and me taken in the little chapel on our wedding day in Vegas. “I didn’t know he kept any of them.”

His weathered hand smooths my hair. “He was so happy.”

“So was I. I never thought I’d feel anything else but this.” My eyes fall from the picture, unwilling to expose that core of emotion. “When did he send this to you?”

“When?”

“Yes.”

“I’d say about a week after you two married. Hold on, let me check.” He lifts the frame from his wall and checks the back.

Clear as day, an envelope postmarked about a year ago is taped behind the photo frame. I clear my throat before asking huskily, “How... how did the others take seeing a wedding photo of their... man... so clearly displayed?”

“Others?” His weathered face is confused.

“The other women he’s brought to meet you.” I put on a brave front and try to joke. “I imagine that puts a crimp on the whole ‘meet the family’ bit.”

At first, his face registers shock, then disappointment. Finally resignation. “Sula, I think you should know...”

“Sula! There are seals outside. Come quick before they disappear!” Arek’s voice calls to me excitedly from the kitchen.

His grandfather’s eyes meet mine, and in them, I find many of the emotions I see in Arek’s. His lips beneath his beard—so much like Arek’s—crack into a hint of a smile. “Go see the seals, sweetheart. They’re a sight.”

“Then I’m off,” I proclaim brightly to hide my despair. To Arek, I shout, “I’ll be right there.” There’s a door slam to punctuate his excitement as Arek heads outside. Before I follow him, I rise on the balls of my feet and kiss Edward’s leathered cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me back a part of my heart I didn’t realize I’d been missing.” With a last longing look at our wedding photo, I murmur, “At least I know he did love me then.”

Quickly, I head through the kitchen and race out the back door before seeing the sympathy on the gentle man’s face.

CHAPTERSIXTY-EIGHT

It’s getting cooler at night.

Guess what? Summer break’s over.

Time to go back to school.

This broadcast has been interrupted by parents across America clapping up and down the aisles of supply stores everywhere.

—Moore You Want

“Don’t forget a shirt!”

“You’ve only said that like five times!” comes Sula’s frustrated shout.

“You’re the one who will complain if you get bit!” I call back.

There’s a pause before I hear her footfalls clatter up the stairs. “Right. I’m stealing one of yours. You did say they have bug repellant, correct?”

I can’t stop the laugh. “Go for it, sweetheart. I’ll start the fire.”