That speech should’ve meant nothing to me, but it tugged on my heart and made me bleed.
“I haven’t been seeing anybody.”
My chest stopped rising mid-breath.
“It wasn’t a coincidence that we were at the same bar. And all those men buying me drinks…they never had a chance. Damien and I never had any type of flirtatious relationship. I made all that up because I thought it was the only way to get your attention. Begging you to take me back wasn’t getting me anywhere. I’ve never given up on you… I’ll never give up on you.”
She’d played me like a fool. “You lied to me.”
She took a deep breath. “Yeah…I did. And I don’t regret it.”
I was relieved she hadn’t been screwing all those random guys for the last few months. She’d only been with me.
“Please give me another chance…”
My eyes diverted to the scenery around us, the dark buildings with little spots of light. Seconds passed before I looked at her again. I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to tell her it was never going to happen, that she had no chance, but I knew I would end up in bed with her over and over again. I was in this relationship even if I didn’t want to be. “You aren’t moving back in here, and we aren’t getting remarried.”
Her face relaxed when she understood what I said. “That’s fine.”
I’d gone to the gypsy so I could be free of this woman forever, but there was no spell strong enough to erase my feelings for her. I’d wiped them away once, but they grew back overnight.
“Thank you.” Her eyes started to gloss over with moisture.
“No one else…just the two of us.” I didn’t owe her my fidelity, but I didn’t want to be with anyone else anyway. And I definitely didn’t want her to be with anyone else either. I was slightly annoyed with myself for caving, but there was also this huge weight that lifted off my chest.
She left her chair and came toward me until she lowered herself into my lap. She used to sit like this all the time, keeping me company while I suffered one of my moods. She rested her forehead against mine and laid her palm against my chest.
My hand moved into her hair, and I held her close. My heart had already softened for this woman. This was exactly where I wanted to be…because it was the only place I ever felt happy.
26
Sofia
I looked at myself in the mirror and approved of the dress I’d thrown on. It was blush pink, with little straps and a short length. I wore white heels on my feet, looking like a spring rose in the heat of summer. I curled my hair and pinned it over one shoulder. My lips were painted the same color as my dress, and I went a little crazy with the mascara.
“What do you think?”
Andrew sat in his car seat and just stared.
“Good enough for me.” I pulled out my phone and called Hades.
He took the call on the first ring, just the way he used to. It was nice to revisit old times. “Sofia.” He no longer spoke with attitude and coldness. His voice wasn’t blanketed with affection, but it was a major improvement.
“Are you free tonight?”
He paused before he answered. “Depends. What do you have in mind?”
“I thought Andrew and I could come over for dinner.” I basically invited myself over, but since I lived with my mom, it was a little awkward to invite him here. Besides, I viewed that place as my home. I wanted to move in as soon as possible.
“Alright.”
I could tell he was still on guard, letting me in but only a little bit. “We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” I glanced at the baby bag on the bed. It was full of bottles and diapers and a change of clothes, but it also had some of my things inside…because I hoped to spend the night.
He hung up.
I grabbed Andrew, and we headed downstairs.
My mom met me by the front door and looked me up and down like a guy checking me out. “Wow, look at you. I hope you’re putting that dress to good use. And not on the street corner.”
I rolled my eyes. “We’re having dinner with Hades.”
“Ooh…” She put one hand on her hip. “Operation: Get your husband back.”
“Pretty much.”
“Well, I hope I don’t see you two until tomorrow morning.” She started to walk away. “In my experience, if you want to get a guy to stay, give him a good blow job.”
I quickly turned around and gave her an incredulous look. “Mom?”
“What?” she asked innocently. “I want all of us to live together again as soon as possible. I would give him a blow job…but I don’t think he’d like it.”