Chapter Five
Alex knew there would come a time when Roman wouldn’t want her anymore, at least not her name. He’d never wanted her body, so she didn’t have to worry in that regard. Giving him the option of an annulment was what she intended to do, weekly, if not daily. Neither of them wanted to be married to the other.
They were only doing this for their parents.
There was no point in him building a sewing room when she knew he was going to get rid of her. They would part ways soon. She hoped they did. Last night was a clear indicator that they were not suited.
After sewing together the three panels of the skirt, she searched for her concealed zip and lined it up on the edge of the skirt. She loved making clothes. The challenges of them. After finishing up the sweater she’d made for Stuart, she had gotten to work finishing the ankle-length skirt she had started months ago. It had been cut up, ready and waiting for her. Being back behind her mother’s machine was a welcome relief.
Roman stood and watched her for a good thirty minutes before tutting to himself and mentioning lazy-ass friends, then leaving her alone.
“I’m heading out,” Millie said, coming to the door.
She looked up and saw a smile on the older woman’s face. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s good to see you here, working on that machine.”
Alex lifted the skirt. She still had the waistband to sew down, but it was now time for it to drop on the bias. “What do you think?”
“You’re going to look stunning in it,” Millie said.
She loved sewing for other people, and getting to her feet, she rushed to the small wardrobe to open the doors and grab the sweater she had also finished. Millie had been complaining about the cold just before Alex’s wedding.
Alex had hoped to present her with the sweater, but she hadn’t been home and hadn’t been able to finish it until that morning.
“This is for you,” Alex said. “I know it’s super warm now, but when it’s cold, it’s for you.”
“Oh, Alex, you are a sweetheart.”
“I don’t like the thought of you being cold. You know. You need to keep warm, so that you and my dad can take care of each other.”
Millie was slightly older than her father. Alex had once thought the two might … hit it off, but she had later learned after trying to get the two together that they saw each other more like brother and sister than as lovers. She’d asked Millie in private many years ago if she loved her father.
“Of course, I love your father, but not like that, Alex. I’m not hiding anything, but he is a great man, just not a man I would want to be a love interest.”
She’d been so gutted, but the three of them had made a good family. Alex had so many fond memories of Christmas, New Years, birthdays, and just about every celebration she could think of.
The older woman pulled her into her arms and hugged her tight. “I love you, sweetheart,” Millie said.
Alex wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes. “It’s just a sweater.”
“I know, but I also know you, honey. You cared enough to think about me.”
“Always.”
“And that is what makes you special. Your dad is so very proud of you, you know?”
“Will he be all right?” she asked.
Having breakfast with her father was a nice refreshing change, rather than eating alone in a sterile environment.
He hadn’t been able to stay and chat though, making his excuses and leaving for business reasons.
“You know your father, Alex.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I do.” She sighed.
“Let’s not frown. Stuart wouldn’t want to see you frown. I’ve got brownies and cupcakes loaded in the van. I’ve also got a ton of ice cream scheduled to be delivered in about twenty minutes,” Millie said. “Time to go.”