Love and Neckties - Lacey Black Page 0,85

I made sure no one else did. Especially Harper. Her family is so close, and the last thing I needed was to cause a rift.

Like now.

When this all comes out, and we know it will, I’d hate to think of the repercussions. Will my best friend have to choose sides between hanging out with me or doing something with her brother? Will I ever be invited to Grayson family dinners again? No, probably not. The thought of not seeing Mary Ann again, except in casual passing, makes my heart hurt almost as much as leaving Samuel. Realization sets in. I’m losing so much more than just my husband. I’m losing his family too.

I’m just a ball of fun and excitement as the clock finally approaches six. I’m grateful tonight isn’t the later night to be open. All I want to do is head back to my apartment, curl up with a blanket (on the floor, mind you), and have a good cry. Maybe when I stop and buy a new blanket and pillow, I’ll grab a tub of Rocky Road ice cream and some tequila.

My stomach rolls, letting me know that’s not the best idea.

I go through the closing process, including closing out the cash register, processing all the credit card payments, and turning off the light. There’s a small gate that extends between the main doorway to the lingerie shop. It keeps gawkers from wandering around when the shop is closed. There are a few things in the expansion between the two businesses, but those are things like lotions and other body products that the hardware store can sell if needed. The rest of the goodies are separate and only sold when Kiss Me Goodnight is open.

I head up to the front door to flip the lock and turn off the two light switches on the front wall. After securing the lock, my head starts to feel…funny. I’m definitely coming down with something. I haven’t been able to eat right all day, and the thought of eating that soup I stuck in the fridge makes me want to vomit.

My next stop is the vestibule between the two stores. Whoever is closing down the hardware store already has their lights out, so I pull the small gate closed, make sure it’s secure, and return to the desk. As I’m walking by the counter, heading for the back room, another wave of nausea hits me as the room starts to spin. I reach for the closest solid structure, but it’s no use. I go down. Hard.

The last thing I remember before the blackness consumes me is worrying for Samuel when he finds out I’m gone.

Chapter Twenty-One

Samuel

I’m all smiles as I make my way home. Robert let me go early. Well, early considering I’m usually the one to stay late for visitations. He offered to stay for the last few hours and told Aaron he was staying too, which didn’t make the son very happy. Usually, I’d insist on staying and overseeing the entire visitation, start to finish, but for some reason, I decided to take him up on his offer. I left work.

Before the work was complete.

After a quick stop at the florist to grab a bunch of daisies and meatless tacos from the restaurant at the edge of town, I’m finally heading home. To Freedom. And it’s only six o’clock.

I pull into my driveway, surprised she’s not home yet. Another quick glance at the clock lets me know she should be here soon. The shop closes at six on Fridays, so I can expect her within the next fifteen to twenty minutes. Just enough time to run through the shower.

Inside, I set the flowers and food on the coffee table and head straight to my bedroom. Our bedroom. I strip off my suit, making sure it goes in the dry-clean bin, and make my way to the bathroom. I can still smell her soap as I start the water, and the smile is instantaneous. Her scent is embedded in my soul, just like her. She has quickly become the very reason for my existence. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought that was possible, to want or need anyone, but here I am, needing her like crops need rain. She’s the air I breathe.

I reach for the bodywash, but something seems off. I can’t really pinpoint it, but the shelf just seems…different. Freedom probably rearranged everything on me again, which I’m pretty sure she only does to annoy the