blinked back unexpected tears.
She wanted a different life. Her kids were great and she loved her family, but she wanted more. She wanted a job she loved—she wanted to be excited about how she spent her day, instead of just going through the motions. She wanted to be proud of herself and strong and brave, and that meant she really had to get off her ass and do something. Wishing was a waste of time. She’d spent the past five years talking about leaving Bel Après and going to work somewhere else and she’d done nothing to make that happen.
“Hey, babe.”
The low words were accompanied by a finger sliding from her bare shoulder to her wrist. Stephanie turned and saw Kyle smiling at her.
“Stellar party, as per usual,” he added with a wink.
“You’re still here,” she said, struggling to resurface from her confusing thoughts.
“Sure. I thought maybe we could spend a couple of hours together.”
His tone was suggestive. As if to emphasize the point, he put his hand on the small of her back and then slid it down to cup her butt.
“No. Just no.”
She spoke without thinking, taking a step away and staring at him, fighting the oddest sensation of having no idea who he was. Yes, they’d been married, but they’d divorced over a decade ago. What was she doing, having sex with him a couple of times a year, whenever it happened to fit into his schedule? She didn’t want that, or him.
Why had she agreed to their sad arrangement? Ignoring the gross thought that she had no idea how many other women he slept with on a regular basis, didn’t she deserve better? Didn’t she deserve to be happy, with her own robust life? Instead she’d settled on ex-husband crumbs tossed her way. Kyle was a distraction, and one she’d allowed to go on for too long.
“You don’t have to say it like that,” he grumbled, sounding defensive. “Just tell me you’re not interested.”
“I’m not interested.” Her voice was firm. “We talked about this before, Kyle. I said I was done and I meant it. Stop trying to get me into bed. I won’t do that anymore. We’re divorced. We should act like it.”
With that, she walked away, looking for a safe group to join, then smiling when she spotted her kids talking to Lori.
“Having a good time?” she asked as she slipped between Avery and Carson.
“We are.” Her daughter laughed. “Mom, I can’t believe you didn’t even hint about the proposal. It was so romantic. Even if they are, you know, old.”
“Ancient,” Stephanie teased. She turned to Carson. “What did you think about what happened?”
Her fourteen-year-old surprised her by grinning. “It was cool, Mom. Romantic, like girls want. Plus, it takes some, ah, courage to ask that in front of everyone. What if she’d said no? He would have been humiliated for life.”
“Love gives you courage,” she told him.
Avery sighed. “Great. Now she’s going to make you watch that old movie she loves so much. What’s it called?”
“Say Anything,” Stephanie and Lori said together.
Avery groaned. “That’s the one.”
“I am kind of feeling it’s time,” Stephanie admitted.
“Do it quick,” her daughter said. “Before Carson goes off to baseball camp. I don’t want to get stuck being the only one who has to see it.”
“You loved it.”
“You wish.”
Carson yawned. “It’s late, Mom. I’m going to bed.” He hugged her.
Her baby was four inches taller than her already and he still had a lot of growing to do. Of course, she was short, but still.
Avery hugged her, as well. “See you in the morning, Mom.”
“Night.”
She watched as they made their way across the patio and went into their house, then she smiled at her sister. “Having a good time?”
“I was until the engagement.” Lori’s tone was sharp.
“I thought you liked Giorgio.”
“I do, but now everything is going to change.”
“I don’t think he’ll mind you living in the house, if that’s what you’re worried about. Besides, Mom would never make you move out.”
Lori’s expression tightened. “Oh, please. We both know she’d throw me out in a heartbeat if it served her purposes, or if Mackenzie asked her to.” She exhaled sharply. “It’s not that. Did you see how in love they are? I knew they were happy, but the look on her face when he proposed...I want that.”
“To get married?” Stephanie tried to keep the surprise out of her voice.
“Of course. Everyone wants to belong. Some of us know when we should keep what we have rather than throw