Page 28 of Never Enough

“Feels pretty real to me,” he says.

And there it is. That low, steady certainty in his voice that makes me want to believe him and run from him in equal measure. The same certainty that made him haul Andrew up by the collar and announce to a bakery full of people that I was his wife. The same certainty that put a ring on my finger tonight and introduced me to two hundred people as someone who chose him.

The song is ending. I can feel it winding down—the melody softening, the steel guitar fading into something that sounds like a sigh.

“Henry,” I say, and I don't know what I'm going to say next. Something sensible, probably. Something about boundaries. Something about the six-month timeline, divorce papers, and the fact that this is temporary. He needs to stop saying things that make my heart do stupid, reckless things.

But the song ends before I get there.

He steps back. Just enough to look at me.

Those blue eyes—warm and certain and so full of something I'm terrified to name—hold mine in the golden light.

“Thank you for the dance, Firefly,” he says.

And then he tilts my chin up and lightly presses his lips to mine.

My heart doesn't flutter. It detonates.

chapter

eleven

Henry

The minute we get home from the anniversary party, I have two choices. I can either seduce my wife or take a cold shower to take the edge off. Since I’m not quite sure she’s ready for option one, I find myself standing under freezing cold water, watching my release circle the drain.

It won’t last long, I already know that. There’s nothing that’s going to satisfy my craving until I can sink myself inside of my sweet Gracie Lynn. My Firefly.

I go to leave my bathroom, towel wrapped around my waist, only to hear sniffles and Gracie’s voice in my bedroom. I freeze, not wanting to interrupt whomever she’s talking to.

“Kinda sucks not having a person anymore. I suppose I should get used to it. I’m going to have to leave Saddle Creek and either start working for gangsters or witness a terrible crime so I can be put in the Witness Protection system. It’s the only way I’ll be able to break ties with this town.

But once the truth comes out. Once everyone knows that this whole lie was my fault, they’ll naturally take Henry’s side. I mean, I would. He’s such a good guy. The very best guy.

That’s the problem, you know? If he weren’t who he is, if he weren’t so damn lovable, this whole thing would be easier. But when these six months are done and we have to get divorced, inevitably, the truth will come out. My heart will be damaged beyond repair.”

I hear the telltale thump, thump of Bayou’s tale against the floor, and now that Gracie must be scratching my pup under her chin.

“You’re helpful to talk to, sweet girl. I’ve just always needed a sounding board, ya know? Normally, that’s Caroline and Kelsie, but for obvious reasons, I can’t talk to them. I tried talking to my sourdough starter, but then the whole batch didn’t turn out right. I’m kind of afraid I bored it to death.”

And that’s my cue. I step out of the bathroom to find my wife on my bed, my dog at her feet, her big silly head propped on Gracie’s knee.

“If you’re worried you bored your sourdough starter to death, maybe stop talking to my dog. I’m rather fond of her.”

Gracie looks up and frowns. Then she grabs a pillow and flings it at me. I catch it, but in my effort, somehow dislodge my towel, which falls to the floor at my feet.

“How long were you listening?” she asks.

“A while,” is all I say.

“Why were you in the shower so long? Shaving your legs?” she quips.

I drop the pillow and walk towards my dresser. “Well, I was taking care of this,” I point to my hardening dick. “But it seems my efforts were ineffectual.”

“Henry! You are naked.”

“I’m well aware. Also, it works better to hide the view if you don’t peek through your fingers.” I grin to myself as I pull out a pair of boxers and step into them.