Because we’re just inches away from each other, I see the moment the entire reality of my news hits her.
Her eyes fill with awareness, and she backs off of me slowly and sits up straight. She fiddles with her bun for a second before saying into the air, “So we don’t have to be married anymore?”
“No.” I look at her closely, but she gives me no indication of how she’s feeling. “Once I sign the contract, they can’t void it for a divorce. Ned went through it thoroughly to make sure.”
“Well, that’s…that’s good.”
“And for you, too,” I say. “I don’t want anyone to feel trapped.”
Her beautiful blue eyes go flat. “Of course not. Trapping you is the last thing I want.”
“No, Mia. That’s not what I meant. I…”
But she’s already up off the couch and heading for the door. “Why don’t we go grab dinner with your cousins? I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to hear your good news.”
I just completely screwed that up.
Not sure what else to say in this moment, I follow her out the door.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Mia
Declan and I don’t talk about our situation again that night. We hang out with his cousins, and then I make the excuse that I’m tired and am going to head home.
Cooper, seeming to notice something’s off between Declan and me, offers to drive me to the cabin. I go straight to bed.
I have to be at work early the next day for a meeting, and Declan’s sleeping when I leave the cabin.
“You’re still going to his game, right?” Jamie Beth confirms when she calls me at lunchtime.
“Of course I am,” I say. “And if there’s a game six, I’m going to fly to New Orleans again.”
“These are not the actions of a woman who’s giving up on her marriage,” she says straightforwardly. “So why didn’t you fight for him when you had the chance?”
“JB,” I say in a frustrated tone. “He sprung the contract on me, and I was so happy for him that it’s like I let my guard down even more. So when he said he didn’t want anyone to feel trapped, I was just…”
“I understand,” she says. “You were in a vulnerable place, and Declan didn’t tip his hand.”
I guess that’s what happened.
“But did you tip yours?” she presses me.
“I feel like I always tip my hand when I’m around him,” I say. “He must know how I feel about him.”
“Must he?” she asks me. “Or are you both two very skilled poker players facing off against one another? One of you has gotta break, sweetie. Or else you’ll find yourselves signing off on those divorce papers and thanking each other for the successful business arrangement where you both got what you wanted but maybe not what you need.”
“God, you should be a marriage counselor,” I mumble.
She laughs. “Right. If only all spouses on the brink of divorce were as in love as you too are. Then, I might consider a career change.”
Declan has never come close to uttering the word “love” to me. I have no idea how strong his feelings are. But, I’m a grown woman. If I know what I want, maybe I need to take Jamie Beth’s advice and go after it anyway. Taking a risk doesn’t mean there are safeguards in place. It means you take the leap anyway, not knowing what’s waiting for you on the other side.
* * *
Declan
My conversation with Mia didn’t pan out the way I’d hoped, but Ned reminds me that the board is expecting an answer. I sign the contract, officially making me a to-be owner of a professional hockey team. I’ll get to stay in Montana. Near my niece and brother and cousins. I feel a huge relief to have my future lined up.
