Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
I enjoy every minute of watching father and son dig in the soil.
“Look, Dad! It’s an earthworm,” Jason cries, holding up a wriggling brown worm.
“Careful not to hurt it,” Max warns.
“I won’t. I like them.” Gently, he put the worm back in the soil, away from the turned earth and out of harm’s way.
“You’re good at this,” I say, my voice teasing. “I didn’t know you had a green thumb.”
Max grins, boyish, wiping sweat from his brow, which leaves a smudge of earth. “I learned from my Mom,” he tells me, his voice warm. “She loved gardening. She said she loved the smell of the earth, but I am sure that it was because she didn’t want to spend any more money than she had on groceries.”
"Well, now you never have to worry about it again. Either of you."
"Yeah," he agrees. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, it’s just us, the sun warm on our skin, the air thick with jasmine and possibility.
“Here, smell my hands,” Jason pipes up, sticking his small, pudgy hands under Max’s nose.
“Yes, I see what my mother meant now. Very fragrant, Jason,” Max says dryly.
I laugh when Jason thrusts his hand under my nose. “Yup. Very fragrant.”
We head inside to prepare lunch.
I pull ground beef from the fridge, and Max fires up the grill on the patio. While Jason sets the table, I shape the burgers, after adding salt, pepper, and a dash of garlic. We work together, easy and natural, like we’ve done this forever. Soon, the sizzle of meat patties fills the air with smoky warmth, and it is divine.
“How much longer? I’m starving.” Jason says.
“Go sit at the table. I’m nearly done.” Max flips the patties, his arm flexing, and I catch myself staring once again. The memory of his hands on me sparks fresh desire in me. Trying my best to distract myself, I focus instead on the salad. I slice some juicy tomatoes still warm from the market, and toss them into a leafy salad.
Once the meat is ready, we gather on the lunch table. I’m hungry, and it all looks like a feast. Burgers stacked high with lettuce, tomato, and melted cheddar cheese. The buns are toasted to a lovely golden color. Jason takes a big bite, and I laugh. Max’s eyes meet mine across the table, warm, intense, and it makes my heart pound.
“This is good,” he says, a grin tugging at his lips, and I know he’s not just talking about the food.
My cheeks flush, and I look down, biting into my burger, the flavors rich, smoky. Delicious. I feel as if I have never eaten a more tasty burger.
“Yup,” Jason mutters. “Really good.”
“Better than cereal?” I tease.
He nods, mouth full, eyes wide.“ Way better.”
Max laughs, the sound deep and filling the room. I love this life —cereal for breakfast, burgers for lunch, Max’s laughter, Jason’s smile. Its more than I ever imagined. My happiness becomes more and more euphoric with each passing moment, and it makes me greedy for more.
We finish eating a little while later and clear the plates together. The kitchen is soon quiet, save for the hum of the fridge. Jason runs off to play, his footsteps fading, while Max pulls me close, his hand on my waist.
“This is what I dreamed of for us all those years ago,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my temple.
“Me too,” I whisper and melt into him.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
MAX
The days are passing like a gorgeous dream. Sara called once, but she sounded distracted and kept even her conversation with Jason brief. To me, she gave the good news, her mother was responding well to the treatment, but it was like talking to a stranger. I had nothing in common with her. It was hard to even think that we were lovers once. Once the strange call was over, I put the phone down and forgot her. Instantly, I went back to feeling as if I were living in a heaven on earth.
Like now… I’m seated in the studio with Amelia.
My laptop is open and I’m scrolling through my emails. And Amelia’s across the room, perched on a stool in front of her easel, her blonde hair is up in a ponytail high on top of her head. Every time she turns her head it catches the light like spun gold. Her brush moves quickly and expertly as she works on a brand-new painting.
Jason is also here with us, though he is asleep on the rug. His chest moves with peaceful evenness. It's all so serene, but my chest is tight with a knot of dread that grows heavier each day. Sara’s coming home soon—too soon—and this bliss, this stolen life with Amelia, will end. I hate it, hate the thought of losing her, of going back to the hollow routine of my loveless marriage of convenience. My fingers pause on the keyboard. The truth is, I can’t let go, but I don’t know what to do. Don’t know how to keep this dream alive without breaking everything I’ve built.