“You’re right. I’m also—”
“I could’ve told you how upset I was instead of brushing it aside. But I never wanted to distract you from your job. You worked so hard to get there, and plus, with your dad always around… I never wanted to burden you with my feelings, so I never communicated them. I’m sorry for that. I could’ve been better.”
“Baby.” It was like an entire golf ball had lodged itself in mythroat. “You are never a burden to me. I hate that you felt that way.”
“If we try to fix our marriage for a month, what does that mean?”
“We date.”
“And you’ll really sign the papers if I ask?” Her voice was small, hesitant.
“Yes. You date me for December, and if I’m not what you want, then I’ll let you go.”
CHAPTER FIVE
LANEY
I couldn’t get Connor’s idea out of my head. Date him for the month, then he’d walk away if I asked him to. He had been so reluctant to sign the divorce papers, and this seemed like an easy possibility. The issue wasn’t waiting until New Year’s. It was falling for him again. When Connor put his heart into something, he did it well.
But one month wasn’t a true test of what someone could be. This was so hard.
Sometimes, on late nights, I’d wear headphones while I worked to pass the time. I wore mine now and hoped no one would notice.
Plus the holiday party was in full swing.
A design firm in the city had hired me months ago to photograph their annual party. They’d gone all out with decorations on the top-floor bar. The place had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Chicago, and it was stunning.
Connor helped me unload after I told him I’d give him an answer tomorrow. My focus should be on this event—which,ha! It sure wasn’t. He snuck off to grab a snack after his stomach had made some whale sounds in the car.
I needed advice, and that meant calling my best friend. I had her on the line within thirty seconds.
“Are you alive? Are you back?”
I snorted. “Hi, Soph. I’m at my event downtown.”
“Girl, come stay with me tonight. The weather is already getting pretty bad. You can’t drive back.”
Everyone in my life knew I hated driving in winter weather. When I was sixteen and a baby driver, I slid across four lanes of traffic, and it scared the hell out of me. No one had been hurt, but even a hint of ice made me nervous.
“About that… Connor drove me.”
“And this is the same man that you’re divorcing?” There was a hint of amusement in her voice.
“Yeah, so… he’s renting the house next to my parents for the whole month.”
“Hmm, that’s honestly better than I had assumed. Nice work, Connor.”
“Soph.” I laughed as I snapped a few pictures of some women, all dressed as elves. They wore cute tights and pointed shoes. The men were dressed as Santas, and it was honestly amusing as hell to see all the outfits. There wasn’t one person not in costume. They were all holding glasses of champagne and all smiles. The light was hitting just right, and I knew these would be the best photos I took. I went vertical and got the city lights in the back, and, damn, I loved this job.
“So, Connor, your desperate, hot husband, offered to drive you because he knows you hate this weather. And he left his job in the midst of a huge crisis. You know it has been all overthe news. It’s been endless, and there are even pieces questioning where the CEO is during this.”
“Wait, really?” Unease settled low in my gut. “What are they saying?”
“The usual bullshit. Probably started by his dad.”
Soph knew all the drama around Connor and his father. I rarely kept anything from her. We had no secrets, which was why I wanted to ask her about Connor’s deal.
“Hey, I don’t have long.”
