Looking at Simon, a deep sadness settled over me because he couldn’t see that they were the same. I hadn’t even been able to see it before, but now it came into sharp reality. “You’re treating our world, MyHome, our marriages, like a game of chess,” I told him. “We have to make the right moves or we lose it all to people who don’t appreciate it. Please do the right thing and sell us your shares.” Maybe then Jude would understand that I was marrying Jada because I loved her. Maybe then we could go back to being friends.
But Simon shook his head, speaking sadly. “That’s what you don’t get. None of this is a game, Bryce.”
Iris came back with a charcuterie plate, setting it in front of me.
Just the sight of the food made me feel sicker than I already did. “I’m sorry, but I need to go.”
I got up and saw myself out of the house. I couldn’t sit there anymore without growing even more angry. Simon had taken my autonomy and Jada’s. I loved the man like a grandfather, but right now, I hated him too.
57.Jada
As promised,Bryce scheduled a date with me for Tuesday after work. When I clocked out, I walked through the front sliding door to see Bryce leaning up against the back of the town car, waiting for me.
Today his suit was a dark charcoal with a black shirt and tie underneath. Glasses shielded his eyes from the sun, but they couldn’t dim his smile at the sight of me. Pushing up from the car, he approached me on the sidewalk, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me so thoroughly I forgot there were people walking by.
“Hi to you too,” I said breathlessly when he pulled back.
He smiled, giving me one more chaste kiss. “Just happy to see you,” he told me.
“Me too,” I admitted, getting into the car when he opened the door for me.
Gen smiled back at me. “How was your day, hon?”
I smiled. “Pretty good, except this is my third shirt.” The spit-up gods decided I was the ultimate target, apparently. “How about you?”
“First shirt, so I’d say pretty good.” She smirked.
I chuckled, scooting over so Bryce could get in.
We sat in the back seat, holding hands on the way to a restaurant. My engagement ring shimmered on my hand, catching each bit of light that filtered in through the tinted windows.
When the car slowed, I looked outside, but my eyebrows drew together. I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t realized we weren’t in a commercial district at all. We were going through wrought-iron gates that slid apart of their own accord.
“Where are we?” I asked. “Is this a private restaurant?”
Bryce wore a small smile on his lips. “I have something to show you.”
Giddy excitement worked through me. I loved surprises. So when Gen stopped the car, I was eager to get out and see what Bryce had in store. But when I got out and was hit with cold December wind, I froze, not because of the temperature, but because of the for-sale sign sticking up in the front lawn.
Bryce reached for my hand and easily twined his fingers with mine. “This house just came on the market,” he said, gesturing at it with his free hand. It had a gorgeous wraparound front porch, light-yellow siding, and bright white shutters on each window.
The landscaping out front was simple but beautiful too, and I imagined how it would come to life in the spring and summer. Even this late in the year, it was full of color with different types of shrubs and trees designed to add vibrant hues throughout the winter.
“I thought we were planning tonight?” I asked him. “I thought maybe we would talk about adding a guesthouse to your property or something?”
But he shook his head. “I got to thinking, and if you come and live with me, you’d be joining me in my home. Of course you’d be welcome, but when we get married, I want it to beourhome,ourlife together.”
My heart swelled at the words, and I settled a hand where my baby girl rested.
“Let me show you the best part,” he said.
Eager to see what he meant, I followed him around the side of the house to the expansive backyard, where a small cottage stood proudly next to a fenced-in glittering pool and hot tub. Bryce gestured to the cottage. “If you ever wanted Glamma to live with us, or if she needed more help, she could make this her home. She’d be right here, but have her freedom too.”
My heart burst at those words, holding so much love. “You want to get all of this... for me?”
He rested his hand over mine on my stomach. “Forus.” He pulled me into a hug, and I let him hold me as I looked at the home.
Emotion welled up, rising in an acidic heap that no amount of swallowing or deep breaths could keep down. I was grateful, but there was something else too.
