TAKE TWO_ Who says you can't ma - Heather M. Orgeron Page 0,18
no. He is not passing this off on me. He wants to bring up the past? I’ll hit him with some hard truths. “A week before Ellie’s baptism, I got a sitter.”
I lean back in my chair, watching the wheels in his mind turning as he tries to figure out where I’d have gone.
“I was tired of being home alone. I missed my husband…” I clear my throat. “I missed you. I didn’t want to bring it up again and make you feel bad because a part of me knew you thought you were doing what was right for us.”
“Where’d you go?” The look of confusion on his face just angers me further. Do I mean to tell him his dutiful wife and baby mama actually left the house?
I spend the next twenty minutes reliving one of my weakest moments. A night I’ve spent years trying to forget.
“Thanks so much for doing this, Hannah.”
“Girl, any time.” She walks over to the bassinet to look in on her niece. “You know I love spending time with this angel.” She kisses her first two fingers before gently touching them to Ellie’s head. “And I’m really liking this new you. No more wallowing. Time to take charge and show that man what he’s missing out on at home.”
She takes the eyeshadow pallete from me, adding the final touches to my makeup. Then I move to the full-length mirror, unable to help homing in on the extra weight around my middle. Dread pools in the pit of my stomach as I smooth a hand along the front of my black dress. It doesn’t help that I feel like a sausage in these Spanx. “I can’t do it.” I’m seconds away from stripping out of this dress and back into my yoga pants and baggy tee. “I’m going to vomit.”
“You look beautiful, Nya.” My friend takes both of my hands into hers. “Look at me.”
I do.
“You are still the same beautiful woman that man fell in love with years ago. A little sexier, if you ask me.” She winks a seductive eye before looking me up and down. “Those titties.” She cups the air in front of me, making a grabby motion toward my breasts. “Almost makes me wanna get knocked up so I can get me some.”
As easy as that, she has me giggling. I mean, she isn’t wrong…they are kinda nice. “Okay.” My shoulders rise and fall as I take a deep cleansing breath before collecting my clutch and keys from the counter. “Wish me luck.”
My heart is racing with the anticipation of seeing my man the entire drive to the club. I haven’t been to the place since well before the baby was born. It’s the first time I’ve gotten dressed up and put on makeup since then, too. When I get there, I’m shocked by the line I find out front.
Business sure is popping for a Thursday night.
After parking the car, I walk around to the front, where the bouncer, Ramey, recognizes me immediately and ushers me inside. I ignore the groans of disapproval from the line of mostly women wrapped around the side of the building. Perks of being the boss’s wife.
The music is crazy loud, the bass almost deafening. Bright strobe lights pulse along to 90s dance tunes. The combination has me feeling a little off. Not to mention it’s been a hot minute since I’ve walked in four-inch heels. I have to stop for a moment to orient myself before heading toward the bar.
I locate the corner booth where Liam and Chance always used to hang out and migrate in that direction.
I’m beginning to lose my nerve when I see a group of women crowding their table. A dark cloud of disappointment descends upon my already fragile nerves. I can’t help but wish he was alone, and that I could surprise him without an audience.
Oh well. I’ll just have to get over it. I’m here, and I’m doing this.
I recognize the woman seated by my husband to be the bar manager, Natalie. With a full head of bleach-blonde hair, she’s a total knock out—rail thin, with big tits and colorful ink decorating her arms. Her multiple facial piercings only add to her appeal. She’s laughing at something, her blinding smile fun and carefree. She’s not worried about being woken up by a crying baby in a few hours.
My insecurities come creeping back…
One by one, my eyes jump to each of the other women, with their short skirts and