Alec ran his hand over his chin.“I hope—” His eyes were filled with confusion.“I hope that… yes.… If not reconciliation, well, I always hoped she’d come home.She’s still my wife.”
Cujo stood.He needed to leave before he said something irreparable.“But that’s just the point.This isn’t her home.It’sourhome.She doesn’t have a place here.We’ve done fine without her.You’ve done everything she should have done.”He paused by the door.“Did you just call her your wife?You’re not divorced?”
Alec shook his head sadly, shoulders slumped.
“Why do you still want her here?”
“Because I’m lonely, Brody.Is that what you are waiting for?You think I’m pathetic for still wanting someone?Think I should have just moved on and loved someone else?Wait ’til you find the right woman, Brody.You won’t believe how far you’ll go or how long you’ll wait.”
***
Harper hurried toward Drea the moment she set foot in Second Circle.“I’m sorry, sweetie.”Harper still wore her José’s T-shirt after finishing her shift, her long dark hair pulled up in a messy bun.“I can’t believe they said no.Did you show them your mom’s medical records, all the receipts and stuff for her care?”
Drea had texted Harper the moment she left the bank to let her know their decision.“I did.They can’t extend my credit, and won’t give mom any credit because she has no income.When I explained how sick she is, they just added that to the reasons as to why they can’t help.”Drea sighed.Did they have any clue how hard it had been to sit there and practically beg?
You could only roll with the punches for so long before one eventually took you down.
She’d come to see Cujo, concerned about their conversation in the studio four days ago.Four days in which they continued the engagement party planning with barely a word to each other.Remaining focused on the party was next to impossible as her mind raced with how to pay for groceries, utilities, and her mom’s meds.Payday from the hotel couldn’t come soon enough; getting to the end of the month would be tough.She was counting the days until probation ended so she could keep the tips for herself.
Lia was in the kitchen as they walked in.She wore a blue-and-white-striped boat neck dress and red platform heels.Drea envied her unique sense of style.
“How are my favorite girls?”Lia’s face scrunched up as she attempted to open a water bottle.
Harper squealed as her feet lifted off the floor.
“You walk around my studio with all that sexy-ass ink showing, you know I’m gonna have to make out with you, right?”Trent kissed Harper, and Drea melted a little.
It might have been the shittiest of days, but seeing the two of them together made her warm and fuzzy inside.
Trent lowered Harper to the ground and took the bottle from Lia, opening it with no effort.Lia stuck her tongue out at him, grabbed a glass, and walked back into the studio.
“How was your appointment?”he asked.
“Unsuccessful.”
Trent pulled her into his other arm so he was hugging both of them.“You know, we could help you out.Harper told me… about your mom.We can lend you something to tide you over.”
Tears burned Drea’s eyes.She looked down and inhaled to force them back.
Trent pulled her closer.“Say the word, we got you covered, Drea.”
“You guys are the best, but I’m still in the game.If I get to that point, I’ll let you know.Thank you.”
He released them.“My work here is done.I have ink to do.Later, sweetheart,” he said giving Harper a soft kiss.
“Okay,” Drea said to Harper, “I need to see Cujo real quick and then get off to work.Again.”
Cujo wasn’t at any of the stations or the counter.She walked back to the office and knocked on the door.
The door opened, revealing a shirtless Cujo.He wore a pair of low hanging jeans, top button undone.Shivers went down her spine.The man was perfection.And Christ, she wondered what it would be like to lick his nipple piercing.
“Just changing my shirt.Managed to spill ink down it.Come in.”
Forget butterflies.Elephants were doing an epic rendition ofRiverdancein her stomach.
“So, did you need something, Drea?Or do you want me to just stand still so you can admire me a little longer?”
His words hinted at humor, but his tone was dark and flat.There was his mask again.The one she was starting to figure out he wore most of the time.She shook her head as she stepped into the office.
