Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Anything is fine.” I re-corked the wine bottle. “Is Reina super young and hot?”
“Yeah, but she’s really into herself. It bugs me.”
I took a sip of wine. “Well, give her a chance. Maybe she’s insecure. Some people come off the wrong way at first because they’re shy or nervous.”
He shook his head and burped. “I don’t think that’s her problem.”
While JJ ordered the pizza, I started unloading the dishwasher. I wondered if Enzo was still at the new house with his friends and what they were doing for dinner tonight. Would they get takeout and keep working? Call it a night and head for the pub? Would they ask Blair and Chey to join them? Would my friends wonder where I was?
“So are you going to tell me what happened with Enzo or not?” my brother asked, sitting at the island and watching me put away dishes.
I didn’t say anything at first, just placed a stack of plates in the cupboard. Two juice glasses. A soup bowl.
“Did you guys have a fight?”
“Not really.”
“So why are you here?”
“I’m here because Enzo and I realized that we might have rushed into marriage,” I said carefully.
JJ belched again. “I could have told you that.”
“We’re taking some time and space to figure out the best way to proceed.”
“Are you going to get divorced?”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”
“Do you love him?”
Yes, I wanted to say, just to finally admit it out loud. I didn’t want to, but I do. And that’s why I’m here. But my answer was, “That’s a complicated question.”
“It is?”
“Yes,” I said irritably, yanking out the silverware basket and setting it on the counter. “And even if I said yes, I do love him, it doesn’t mean we should stay married. There are other factors.”
“Like what?”
Angrily, I tossed forks and spoons and butter knives in the tray lining the drawer. “Like whether or not he feels the same.”
“You think he doesn’t love you?”
“I know he doesn’t love me.” I had to stop to take a breath. Brace myself on the edge of the counter.
“Then why’d he marry you?”
“Look, this is why I said it was complicated.” I tamped down on the sob trying to work its way from my chest to my throat. “I can’t explain why we can’t be married anymore, but I just know that we can’t. We tried, we failed. That’s it, the end.”
“Doesn’t seem like you tried very hard.”
I glared at him over my shoulder, then took my glass of wine and left the kitchen.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“To my office!”
“Why? We’re talking.”
“I’m done talking!” I went into my office and slammed the door behind me, then took a big long drink of wine. I checked my phone and noticed I’d missed three calls from Blair. She’d texted too.
Blair: WHAT IS GOING ON??? Call me.
I sat down and called her back.
“Hey,” she whispered as soon as she picked up. “Hold on.”
I listened to her muffled breathing and then what sounded like a door closing.
“Where are you?” she said frantically but quietly.
“I’m at home,” I said. “As in my old condo. Why are you whispering?”
“Because Griffin and Enzo are here and I don’t want them to hear me.”
At the mention of his name, my pulse picked up.
“Why are you at your old condo?” she asked.
“Because Enzo and I are moving ahead with the plan at an accelerated pace. Phase two failed. We’re now in phase three—the breakup.”
“You’re breaking up?”
“Actually, we were never really together.”
“You know what I mean. You’re moving out? You’re getting divorced? You’re not trying for a baby anymore?”
“All of the above,” I said bitterly, taking another sip of wine.
“I figured something had happened. I went by the Center Avenue house this afternoon with sandwiches and offered to stay and help out. Enzo was acting so weird, and you were nowhere to be found, and he kept saying he wasn’t sure where you were or if you were coming.”
“What do you mean, acting weird?” I asked.
“He was just not himself at all. Silent and broody. Big scowl on his face. Barking directions at everyone and snapping if anyone asked a question—especially about you.”
I put a hand on my forehead and squeezed my eyes shut.
“So you’re really leaving?”
“I have to, Blair.”
“Because of what you told me?” she asked gently.
“Yes,” I said softly, tears leaking from my eyes. “I couldn’t stay another month. I couldn’t keep sleeping with him. I couldn’t bear another heartbreaking disappointment. I couldn’t risk falling deeper in love with him. All of it was too much—I felt like I was under water. I couldn’t breathe.”
“I’m sorry, Bianca. I wish there was something I could do.”
I grabbed a tissue from the box on my desk. “I’ll be okay. I’m just going to stay away from him for a little while. Try to let my feelings cool off.”