Enough was enough. “Seriously, Marc. Please don’t call me Betty. Ever again.”
He paused, the dark brown of his eyes deepening even more. Nodding his head in acceptance, he said, “Got it. Sorry. I seem to have ignored a lot of what you’ve asked of me over the years.”
I shrugged, just wanting this over with. Plans with Nate were calling, and I didn’t want to waste another second. Tonight he’d talked me into watching Star Wars. “It’s time to move on. For real. For both of us.”
“I agree. I... I was kind of a dick at the end. I am sorry about that.”
“You’re right. You were a dick,” I agreed. Hey, it was the truth.
He combed the fingers from his free hand through his hair. “I deserve that.” He paused a moment and then said, “I did love you.” He ran his hand over his eyes. “But then I stopped. I don’t know why. I didn’t know how to deal with it, and I was stupid. I should have handled everything better than I did. It’s always bothered me, but ever since seeing you again, it’s been worse. I really want you to know I’m sorry. Truly sorry.”
Prickles of pain poked at my eyes, like tiny little needles. And because the new cake had reversed the delivered-to-his-office-cake’s magic, I had to believe his apology was real. That it was heartfelt. And that meant more to me than a magically induced apology ever would.
“Well,” I said. “I made mistakes, too. I pushed you too hard to start a family. I got angry with you for working so much. But the worst thing I did was trying to make you be the man I thought you should be, instead of allowing you to be who you are. We both grew up, and you changed, and I didn’t know how to handle that.”
He opened his mouth as if he was going to argue with me, but I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him. “We both made mistakes. Probably because we married too young. Let’s just call it even, and both of us can be happy from here on out.”
“I’d like that, Liz.” Walking stiffly toward the door, he stopped abruptly. “No chance at being friends?”
Sadly, I shook my head. “We can’t be friends. But we can be friendly. If we run into each other somewhere, we don’t have to be enemies.”
He put the cake box down and reached out a hand. Just like the old days, way back before we’d stopped loving each other. For some reason I didn’t want to dwell on, I met his hand with mine.
Grasping it tightly, he tugged until I stood in front of him. “You are an amazing woman, Elizabeth Raymond Stevens. I hope whoever you end up with treats you much better than I did.”
I blinked, and tears dripped out of my eyes. Silly, really, being this emotional. He leaned over, his lips touched mine, and this was not like the old days.
It was a simple kiss, yet it spoke volumes for me. This kiss was one of good-bye. The good-bye we’d never truly said. I stepped back and wiped the tears away.
For the very last time, thank you God.
He picked up the box, tossed me a smile, opened the door, and walked away. Went home, where his wife and unborn child waited for him. Exactly where he should be.
As for me? I was in for a night of lightsabers and spaceships. But really, it was spending more time with Nate that put a smile on my face.
Well, that and, you know, that hot, crazy sex thing.
Chapter Twenty-two
I stood in my kitchen arranging another tray of hors d’oeuvres, listening to the chatter of my friends and family, feeling warm and solid. To celebrate my new life, and the decoration of my apartment, I was hosting a party.
And, if I did say so myself, a terrific party at that.“Want some help with that?” Scot asked, nodding toward the tray. “And I wanted to ask you what’s going on with Alice. She’s really quiet.”
I plastered on a smile. “She’ll be okay. And yes, I’d love some help.” Alice hadn’t confided in anyone else yet, but she’d have to soon. Another month had passed and, while others may not have yet noticed the small bump her tummy had become, they would before too much longer. Regardless, it was her call when to say anything.