“Because we’re divorcing?”
“Right. That.”
She snorted. “Yeah, just a little thing called divorce. No biggie.”
“Are you joking about the D-word right now, Laney Reynolds? That is highly inappropriate.”
She laughed again and leaned her head against the window. “I shouldn’t be telling you this…”
I prepared for the worst. “What is it?”
“Being around you like this, how we used to be, definitely makes me question if I’m doing the right thing. I never stopped loving you, Connor. I hope you know that. I probably never will.”
Fuck. I swallowed down the emotion and tried to put on my CEO hat. Be strategic. I played people chess all day, every day. I adjusted my plan based on people’s needs, and while I didn’t want to play my wife, I could be strategic in getting her back. We passed a billboard promising the best New Year’s gala around, and an idea struck.
“Laney, hon, I have an idea.”
“I’m still divorcing you—”
“Just, stop. Okay? I know you are.” Nerves penetrated my spine. I would like more time for the idea to marinate, but my opening was right now, and I couldn’t miss it. “I have anidea. You don’t have to answer now, consider it. But I’ve been thinking… Let me try all month to win your heart back. I’m right next door, and I’m not giving up. If I can’t prove to you we’re worth another shot by New Year’s Day, then I’ll sign your papers.”
Her lips formed a prettyohas she stared at me.
“Connor.”
“I’m serious. I’ll beat you.”
“No, I mean… you’ll sign them…?” Her voice trailed off, like she was disappointed to hear me say that.
It took all my courage, but I nodded.
“I want you happy, baby. Your smile lights up every room, and I’ve seen how sad you’ve been. So yes. I will sign them after New Year’s if that’s what you really want. You deserve to have someone who makes you happy. I want to be that person, but I won’t prevent you from your happiness because I’m selfish.”
She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand. If I wasn’t driving, I’d wipe her tears and kiss them away, but maybe it was better that I couldn’t.
“Ugh, I was having a good eyelash day. Now it’s ruined.”
“No, you still look beautiful.”
She flipped the visor down and fixed her makeup, but while she did that, she spoke to me. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Just… I wasn’t sure what I imagined when I left, but it wasn’t this.”
“Me fighting for you? You didn’t expect that?” I scoffed. “Then you truly have no idea how I feel about you.”
“I figured you’d be upset, but I also assumed you’d be too busy at work to really do anything about it. I mean, how areyou not in the office right now? With the cyberattack and your dad?”
“I have a good team back there. They can handle it. I’ve talked to them every day, and my physical presence isn’t mandatory.” I ignored the stab of fury I felt knowing that Petra and my dad thought the company mattered more. If they believed that and Laney did too, then I really was a shit husband. I reached across the console and took her hand in mine. She didn’t flinch, and I used that to my advantage.
“Laney, I want to be very explicit because it’s clear we haven’t been on the same page for a while. If I had to choose my job or you, then I’d pick you.”
She squeezed my hand, but then she released it.
“Thanks for saying that, and I think you believe those words, but you haven’t chosen me. Time and time again. It shouldn’t take me leaving you for you to tell me that.”
I wanted to snap. To argue. To pull over and yank her onto my lap to kiss her and remind her how good we were together. But I did none of those things. She was right. I had twenty-nine days to prove to her my words were true. If I wanted our marriage to survive, then I had to respect her and earn her trust.
