“Chloe, sweetheart, that’s not true. I’m 100 percent sure the divorce has nothing to do with you.” I picked her chin up to look me in the eyes, pulling her onto my lap. “You are wonderful.” I held her until I heard her rhythmic breathing, then I tucked her in.
Kacie was the last girl in the last cabin that I spoke with. “Tell me the one thing you liked best about today.”
“That my parents got to meet you.”
“I was happy to meet them too.”
“My dad told them he would only sign me up if you’ll be my division leader next summer.”
I was astonished that anyone was counting on my return. “Kacie, tell me, why do you disagree with everything I say?”
“I don’t do that.”
We both laughed.
For a second, I considered not going to Mindy’s because I’d be the only one there without a spouse. Well, except Teddy, and Ineededto see him.
I nursed my drink, half listening to the conversations. It was standing room only, crowded with all the other spouses staying the night.
Teddy joined me. “I don’t see your husband.”
“He left a couple of hours ago.”
I thought I saw him smile, but it was gone in an instant.
“Is that okay with you?” he asked.
“Yeah. It’s for the best.”
“In that case, I look forward to our rendezvous later. I mean, if you’re up to it?” His smile improved my mood.
“How about now? I don’t think anyone would notice if we slipped out.”
By the laundry shack, Teddy took out his cigarette case. Igrabbed his wrist before he opened it and threw my arm around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. I heard the case drop as he wrapped himself around me. The passion I felt when he held me was exactly what I wanted and needed.
I whispered, “Do you want to know—”
He put his lips back on mine, cutting me off, then whispered, “You’re here with me. That’s all I need to know.”
When we came up for air Teddy picked up the cigarettes, lit two, and handed me one asking, “When are you off next?”
“This coming Wednesday, from six until Flagpole Friday morning.”
“I can rearrange my days off so we can be together, if that works for you.”
“You can do that? I thought these things were set in stone, planned months ago.”
“I’d move heaven and earth to spend thirty-six consecutive hours alone with you.” He tossed his butt and drew me in, his hands caressing my ass while devouring me with kisses.
It thrilled me that Teddy was willing to reschedule his life to be with me while my husband couldn’t manage to stay for dinner with his children.
I leaned back. “Where? How?”
“I have an idea. Give me a day to figure out the details. I promise you a romantic getaway—the two of us, no work, no prior relationships, no children. Thirty-six uninterrupted hours, you and me in the present, getting to know each other better.”
The expectation of being alone with Teddy for two nights made my pulse race. I looked him in the eyes, and I believed him. Teddy was a person who wouldn’t disappoint me.
“I have only one request,” I said.
