Eligible Ex-husband - Marie Johnston Page 0,11
most competent one walked out of my life.
I’ve been meaning to hire someone new. Helena’s been with me for over six months and could probably use an assistant of her own. Hell, Helena could probably become an advisor herself and we’d each need a new assistant. Then I would have to get someone who can do the office work and I’d be up to five employees, including me.
It just takes time. I’m already stretched as thin as I can go.
My gaze lands on an aloe plant in the corner, then skims over the walls decorated with pictures of our kids. This room had been pretty barren when I used it.
I stare out the window at the monstrous swing set. This house was the biggest purchase of my life, thanks to Liam. We didn’t grow up obnoxiously wealthy, but our parents insisted we put on a good show. That included a mortgage that stretched the budget until it screamed. Dad worked sixteen-hour days until he retired. Mom talked about her job like it was volunteer work, but it was a paid position, unlike the wives of the men in my father’s social circle who upheld a very old-school mindset, one I never agreed with.
Liam followed in Dad’s footsteps but seemed to balance family life better than either of our parents ever did. Just like I failed to reach the status my brother did by my age, I failed at achieving that balance. I’m divorced and not living in the house I was able to buy without loans.
Dad pointed out that I should’ve funneled the house money into my business. Maybe I’d be farther professionally and wouldn’t have signed over a million-dollar house to my ex.
This place was way more house than Natalie and I needed at the time, but we talked about having four kids and figured it’d be best to have space for when they were older since we were in the unique position to choose. We wanted it to be the house that drew our kids back together when they were older, and a place for the grandkids to congregate and get spoiled rotten.
Abby was starting preschool and Maddy was a baby when we’d bought this. Maddy’s five now. Our family didn’t grow to fill the house but I don’t regret the decision to move in. The girls have neighbor kids to play with and go to a nice school.
Did Natalie make an unconscious decision to stop having kids? Or had I missed those conversation subtleties too? We’d wanted to wait a couple years after Maddy was born before we tried again. Natalie had gotten pregnant on the pill before so she stayed on it and if it happened again, then we joked that it was fate.
Those couple of years were over a few years ago and we didn’t even talk about it. I didn’t think to bring it up. Did she?
I glower at the top of the desk while I ponder whether those questions are something I need answers to or if they’re on a boat that’s rowed out of my sight and none of my damn business anymore. I’m afraid of the answer.
She was an only child with few cousins to play with growing up. I had my brother and couldn’t imagine not having that sibling connection—at the time. I can imagine it all too well now. But growing up? We wrestled until we broke Mom’s favorite vase. Then we snuck out and covered for each other. Liam’s gone, but our dad doesn’t know that his pickup wasn’t totaled by a hit-and-run when we were in high school. It was Liam driving his friend’s car—before Liam had a license. The friend parked his vehicle in front of his house and let his own parents think it was a hit-and-run too. It’s something we could laugh about as adults, but he’s gone and I’ll take that secret to the grave, because he’s my brother.
I scrub my hand down my face. I have a week off. Not really, but I’m available to help Natalie and will be around for my girls. I can even make dinner. I can grill. Natalie loved grill season.
It might help distract her from realizing that I plan to stay here all week.
Natalie
I pull into the garage. Today was the longest day of my life. It doesn’t feel like yesterday that I ran with Aleah, it seems like last week.
I almost punch the button in the car to close the garage door, but stop. It’s