Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Aaron is dividing his time between helping me plan and finishing the Malone house.”
“Does that work for you?” My gaze swings to Aaron. “If it feels like too much—”
“No way. I love being part of both projects.”
“Glad to hear it.” I’m simultaneously relieved for Micah and bummed that Aaron doesn’t have to draw out the renovation to keep the man I adore in town.
“Speaking of Micah… How’s that going?” Jack asks hesitantly.
I think about our trip to LA, which felt like a whirlwind because it essentially was. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything, except maybe the one part. “We filled out the divorce papers.”
“You did? Micah didn’t mention anything. Not that he has to,” Aaron sputters. “But I didn’t even catch a hint after your trip, and normally, I’m pretty good at reading his mood, you know, being in his company every day.”
Jack steadies Aaron’s shoulders. “Take a breath, babe.”
Aaron stops on the trail and blows out a puff of air. “Sorry.”
“No worries. I’m glad you and Micah have become friendly,” I admit. “It was actually one of his selling points for having me accompany him to LA. He brought the papers with him so we could discuss the divorce.”
Saying it aloud leaves a raw taste in my mouth.
Jack frowns. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all cool.” I push out the words. “I got to hear him audition, and it helped me understand how far he’s come and why he continues hanging in there. He’s so close to making it big.”
As we fall into a comfortable silence, I think back to how Micah’s face lit up seeing Ms. Hart. And on the boat too. It all feels so muddled, my brain and heart warring with each other, trying to find a good enough reason to make him stay.
At the halfway point, we stop to hydrate.
“Some might disagree,” Aaron says, “but I think your relationship with Micah is amazing.”
“What do you mean?” Jack asks him, clearly taken aback.
“It’s obvious they love and respect each other on a level most separated couples wouldn’t.” Aaron lifts the water bottle to his lips. “At least not after so many years.”
“That’s because our distance has to do with circumstances outside our marriage.”
“After all this time, do you honestly still believe that?” Jack swipes a forearm across his mouth. “I still think if he wanted to be with you, he would make it happen.”
“There are no opportunities for him here. We tried the long-distance thing. I stayed with him for a couple of weeks and ended up hating LA. You know this.”
“Yeah, okay.” He paces back and forth. “I just worry about you.”
“You’re a good brother,” Aaron says and kisses his cheek.
His face grows red. “I try.”
“Do you?” I playfully nudge him.
“Maybe not hard enough,” he mutters.
“So you and Micah have become friends, huh?” I ask as we start our descent.
“I think so?” Aaron winces as if doubting himself. “He told me all about how he loves fishing and how he got into acting.”
“Speaking of which, we met Ms. Hart in Sunrise Bay.” My gaze swings from Jack to Aaron. “She was Micah’s drama teacher and the one who fostered his love of theater.”
“Yes, he told me all about her. That’s awesome.”
“She asked Micah if he was interested in helping with the production during the spring festival.”
Jack glances at Aaron. “I was telling you about all the activities, remember?”
“Uh-huh.” Aaron’s eyes light up. “Is he gonna do it?”
“I’m not sure. They always perform The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and back in the day, he was the lead.”
“Ichabod Crane?” Aaron asks, and I nod. He opens his mouth to ask something else, then changes his mind. Maybe why that specific play in the spring, but by now he’s used to the oddity of this town.
“He loved it.”
“And was good at it,” Jack admits.
“Was he good at fishing too?” Aaron asks. “He walks out of the house with his pole every morning.”
“Has it become a daily thing?” I smile to myself. “It centers him, always has. Used to go out with his grandfather.”
“I heard. What a nice memory,” Aaron muses.
Jack throws me a severe look. “Until he ruined it.”
“Whatever.” I sigh, experiencing whiplash from Jack’s moods about my husband. “He made mistakes. We all did.”
“How did Micah ruin it?” Aaron asks, his tone tentative.
“I’ll fill you in later,” Jack grumbles.
I stop abruptly. “Why are you so anti-Micah?”
“I just don’t want you hurt,” he huffs out. “It would be great if you could finally move on.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to move on from the love of your life. Could you easily move on from each other?” I ask purposely.
“Oh, am I the love of your life?” Aaron teases.
Jack rolls his eyes. “For the time being.”
They smile at each other, all lovey-dovey, and it makes me wish I hadn’t asked.
But I still want to make my point. “If Aaron decided he had to go back to San Jose, what would you do?”