“I do have a question, though.” His eyes met hers. “How long were you together?”
“Too long.” In his gaze, she knew he wanted more of an answer. “Fifteen years.” It might as well have been one hundred because when you’re that miserable, every day seems like an eternity.
His breath hitched. “That’s a long time.”
“This may sound horrible, but I never loved him.”
Every muscle in her body froze, knowing what question would come next. He had to be wondering if they had kids. Then again, if she did, they’d most likely be with her. That question didn’t follow, but another one did.
“I don’t get it,” Noah said, leaning against the porch railing. For the first time, he seemed annoyed with her, and that knocked the wind out of her sail. “Then why did you marry him?”
And there it was, a segue to tell him about Daisy. She took in a long breath and exhaled. “I mean, he wasn’t always an asshole,” she grumbled, chickening out again. “But even through the better years, I still didn’t have the feelings a wife should have. You must think I’m horrible. And if you’re wondering if I married him for his money, I didn’t. That isn’t who I am.” She met his eyes that weren’t as bright as they typically were and said, “Not loving him meant I couldn’t get hurt, I suppose. After my parents died, it was the only way to keep my heart safe.”
The silence was deafening. He stood motionless. She could feel her veins pulsing beneath her skin. All she could do was wait for a response and hope he believed her. “And what about now?” he asked.
“My heart is wide open.” She inched closer in a sincere plea. If she got hurt again, then so be it. “I’m too happy to be worried about what might or might not happen. For the first time, I’m living in the moment. And it feels damn good.” She reassured him with a smile.
“I’m happy too.” He tucked a honey lock of hair behind her ear.
“You are?” she asked with a peaked voice. “Noah, you’re the only one I care about.” She couldn’t believe she was telling him all this. It was either the craziest or bravest thing she could do.
He reached for her hand, walking them through the doorway into the hallway. Dahlia felt her chest expand and her eyes glaze over. It hit her like a tidal wave. It was over, really over.
“You okay?” he asked again, like it was his duty.
“Yeah, couldn’t be better,” she said, collecting her thoughts. “I’m free.” She wanted to scream it from Lil’s sleeping porch. “Well, almost.” With that, she marched into the kitchen and came back with a pen. “It’s about time this became official.”
“I can leave,” Noah said, rubbing his chin, now covered in a light dusting of scruff since he hadn’t shaved.
“No, stay. This will only take a minute.” Dahlia pulled out the stack of papers and placed them on Lil’s coffee table. She eagerly flipped through, signing her name on every page with the pink sticky arrow. When she was done, she slipped the divorce papers into a large prepaid envelope and set it aside as if this were an ordinary task.
“Where were we?” She stood. “This calls for a celebration.” She opened her robe and closed the space between them. She pressed her bare chest against his, feeling their heart beat in sync.
“You deserve to be cherished, D.” He brushed her face with his knuckles and kissed her with a tenderness she hadn’t felt before. The robe hit the floor with a gentleswoosh, and she smiled.
“Then show me.” She unzipped his pants and dropped them to the floor with a softthud.
They were naked, face to face, in the dim hallway, with nothing but a sheer curtain between them and the outside world. She didn’t care if Spence came back or even saw them. She was done being tethered to a man who didn’t love her. She wanted to be seen, felt, and heard. And most of all, loved.
“We need to celebrate tonight. Your independence and my birthday.” He smiled. “I want you to meet my friends. Would you be up for that? I mean, I know my actual birthday isn’t for a few days, but the guys planned a get-together.”
Dahlia was speechless. He wanted her to be a part of his life. Even if it was messy.
“I’m sorry it’s last-minute, but I was nervous to ask.”
“Why?” She stared at his mouth. All she wanted to do was feel his cowboy lips on hers and finish what they started upstairs in the shower.
“They’re a bunch of goons from the show. Drunken adolescents.” His voice was meek. “I don’t want our age difference to matter or for you to be turned off. You’re important to me, and I don’t want to screw this up.”
“Well, I could say the same. But as long as we’re okay with it, that’s all that matters.” She paused, making him sweat a little. “Yes, I’d love to.” She let out a lighthearted giggle. “Did you think I’d say no?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged.
Suddenly, her throat felt dry. Would his ex be there? Would his friends like her? She needed something really pretty to wear if she was going to do this.
Noah gripped the back of her neck and gave her a lust-laced kiss, staking his claim. Whatever had sparked his eagerness, she was just happy her official ex-husband hadn’t scared him off. If anything, it fueled the opposite.
“You’re all I care about. And you drive me crazy,” he whispered, cupping her breasts. Dahlia felt wobbly, her legs refusing to work. His mouth slowly moved from her lips down to her stomach, making her skin quiver uncontrollably.
