Page 185 of The Wright Man

Bella lifted her mug. "To be fair, they've been wanting to do unspeakable things to each other since the dawn of time. This was long overdue. And let's not pretend Angie would've ever ended it with Gavin if Maleek hadn't kissed the clarity into her and sent her running to Annapolis."

Tina rolled her eyes. "Shut the hell up, making sense."

I just sat there, taking it all in—my sisters being chaotic and loyal and loud, Maleek being calm and steady in the kitchen.

It was surreal, how normal it all felt.

But underneath the humor and comfort, I knew I had a fight ahead of me. Gavin wasn't going to let go easy. He'd stall the divorce, play the victim, try to manipulate me into staying or punish me for leaving. He'd probably go full scorched earth when he realized I wasn't fighting for any of it anymore.

But I didn't want a single thing from him. Not the house, not the car, not the wedding china I picked out and he swore we'd use one day. He could keep it all. I just wanted my salon. My peace. I wanted out.

I could fight dirty and win if I had to. But I didn't want to come out on top if it meant sinking to his level. I didn't need revenge. I needed release.

I needed freedom.

And maybe—just maybe—I needed the man who'd been beside me in every chapter of my life, even when I was too blind to see he was always the one.

I glanced at Maleek, standing barefoot in his kitchen, shirtless, looking like home.

And just like that, the memory of the night before wrapped itself around me again, warm and familiar.

* * *

The room was quiet.

Dim, wrapped in the hush that only came after everything cracked open. We were curled up in his bed, tangled like we'd been doing it our whole lives—his body a furnace against mine, one arm heavy across my waist like he had no plans of letting go again. His breath ghosted over my temple, slow and even, the kind of breathing he only did when he was at peace.

Which... didn't match the chaos in my chest at all.

Because how the hell was I this calm? How was this so easy?

I shifted slightly to look at him, my hand splayed across his bare chest, rising and falling like he was the ocean and I was just trying to float. I stared at him for a long second before blurting,

"Is it weird that it's not weird?"

His lips curved into a sleepy grin, eyes still closed. "How many times am I gonna have to answer this question?"

I blinked. "What?"

"First kiss. You said the same thing, basically." He cracked one eye open, cocking a brow at me. "And I gave you the same answer then that I'll give you now—it's only weird if we make it weird."

I laughed, soft and breathless. "Right."

It should've felt strange. We'd just shifted the entire foundation of our relationship, stepped over a line we'd danced around for years—and yet, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Which was its own kind of terrifying.

I looked down, letting my fingers drift through the light dusting of hair on his chest. "I'm married, Leek."

He didn't flinch. Didn't stiffen. Just ran his hand up and down my back in slow, soothing strokes. "He broke your vows a long time ago, Angel. You don't owe him your loyalty anymore."

"I haven't even filed yet," I whispered. "I haven't figured anything out. This is... fast. Isn't it?"

He kissed my forehead. Then my cheek. Then the tip of my nose. "Fast?" His voice was low, amused. "Angel, I've waited twenty-one years to have you like this. If this is fast, then I'd hate to see us take it slow."

I snorted, burying my face in his shoulder to muffle it. "You're so matter-of-fact about all this."

"I'm accurate," he murmured, unfazed. "I've been in love with you since before I had chest hair. Let me have this."

That word—love—hit somewhere soft and raw. Made my throat tighten.