Harlequin Mini-romance for Woman’s World
Madison was about to give up on love until an unexpected surprise changed everything . . .
Madison, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” As the lie escaped my lips, I tried to suppress the chill that ricocheted throughout my body. It wasn’t the only lie I’d told Logan lately. I suppose that’s what happens when your oncehappy marriage turns into a poor replica of itself.
“I’m changing clothes before our friends get here.”
“Okay,” I whispered, watching him take the stairs two at a time. I didn’t understand how he could be so calm when I was a nervous wreck. In a couple of hours, four of our closest friends would arrive, and we’d have to break the news to them. What if they don’t understand? I wasn’t even sure I understood our decision.
Logan stepped closer and lightly grazed my cheek
I was so engrossed in my thoughts, I hadn’t realized Logan was behind me until he cleared his throat. He’d changed into dark jeans and a navy blue Tshirt, the same outfit he wore on our first date 10 years ago. Why does he have to look so good? He may be devastatingly handsome and incredibly charming, but none of that mattered. We were still getting a divorce. “Why are you wearing that?” He shrugged. “I picked the first thing I saw.” He didn’t make eye contact, a sign that he wasn’t being truthful.
I began setting the dinner table. In my peripheral vision, I felt him observing me, following my every move. “Did you design that for your boutique?” he asked.
I glanced down at the flowy dress I’d created for the night we were supposed to celebrate the expansion of our family six months ago. The dress I never got to wear after we got confirmation that I’d miscarried. After trying to get pregnant for three years, the news had been devastating. I’d taken the news badly, but Logan had taken it even worse.
“I designed it six months ago.”
Logan’s eyes widened before he nodded in understanding.
“Do you think our friends will be surprised that we’re getting a divorce?” I asked, changing the subject. “I assume they’ll want to know why.”
I was met by silence, which didn’t surprise me. With the exception of one intimate night four months ago, this was the most we’d talked since the miscarriage.
Logan began cleaning the kitchen counter. “I’m sure they sense something has been wrong. They won’t like our decision, so they’ll try to talk us out of it.”
I’m not even sure I want this. It was on the tip of my tongue to reveal my true feelings. To apologize for suggesting we get a divorce after such a heart-wrenching time “Do you remember when we took this picture?” he asked.
I walked over to Logan and leaned next to him. “Of course, I remember,” I said with a smile. “Our first few dates in college were so amazing, I wanted you to meet my two friends.”
“Then I introduced you to my two friends as well.” “So we arranged a triple date.” “And no one got along the entire night.” Logan laughed in a way I hadn’t heard him laugh in months. “You asked our waiter to take a picture because you assumed it would be our first and last group photo.”
“Who would have thought it would be the first of many triple dates?”
Logan stepped closer and lightly grazed my cheek. “That night, I knew you were my future.”
I blinked back tears as I studied the emotion flooding his eyes. Emotion I hadn’t seen in so long. “What are you saying?”
He held my gaze. “I’m sorry for spending so much time wrapped in my own sorrow that I neglected to be there for you.”
My breath caught in my throat. If he can be honest, so can I. “I never wanted to get a divorce. I only said that because I was angry that we’d become so distant.”
“I never wanted to either.” Logan dropped his forehead to mine. “In fact, I only wore this outfit to remind you why you fell in love with me in the first place.”
“That’s funny because I only wore this dress because I didn’t get to last time.” I tried to slow my rapidly beating heart as recognition dawned in his eyes. “You’re pregnant?” I didn’t hold back my tears this time. “Four months to be exact.”
The big smile that spread across his face was immediate. I felt his smile deep within my soul. It represented happiness. New beginnings. It was a sign that everything was going to be okay.
“Gratitude for anything from a gorgeous sunset to a good meal makes us happier,” says psychologist Jeffrey Froh. The proof: In a 10-week study, people who wrote down five things they were grateful for that happened in the last week were a measurable 25% happier, felt healthier and slept better!