“A month or two after I started college. Why?”
“I don’t know. I was just thinking it seems coincidental that your dad broke up you and Aaron, sent you off to college early, and you met your future husband in the span of a few months. How long did you two date before you were married?”
“Six months,” I answered distractedly. Things were starting to make sense. I met Robert at a bar across the street from the university. It was mainly a college hangout, yet there he was one Friday night, dressed in his three-piece suit, looking completely out of place. I was still so heartbroken over Aaron that it didn’t occur to me question why a man of his status was hanging out at a hole-in-the-wall bar.
“What are you thinking, Macy?” Annabelle asked, concern evident in her voice.
“I’m thinking you’re right. My dad or Robert orchestrated the whole thing. I just don’t know why, and I’m not sure I want to know,” I admitted.
“Honestly, if it wouldn’t bother you not knowing, I would leave it alone. Knowing what the reasons were won’t change anything that’s already happened, and you likely won’t understand it anyway. In my experience with crazy assholes, their reasoning makes no sense to someone who isn’t insane.”
We spent the rest of our time chatting about much lighter topics, and before I knew it, Phoenix and Aaron strolled through the front door with several bags of take-out. Phoenix held up a bag and wiggled it, “Thought you ladies might be hungry.”
Annabelle jumped up and snatched the bag from her man. “Hell, yes! I’m starving.”
Aaron and I went back to his house after dinner. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there seemed to be a new tension between us. Finally, I asked, “Is something wrong?”
Aaron sighed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I don’t know, Macy. After I dropped you off with Annabelle, the club handled things with your ex. I just don’t know if you’re going to like how we handled it. And I can’t tell you the details; I can just tell you the outcome.”
“Okay, what was the outcome?” I nervously asked.
“You are now the sole owner of Beddingfield Holdings, LLC. If you don’t want to keep it, you can sell it off for a substantial profit,” he said cautiously.
I took a moment to process his words. “Why would I be upset about that?”
He looked down at his hands clasped in his lap. “Because I did the same thing every other man in your life has done. I made a major decision about your life without talking to you first. And I can’t tell you any of the details.”
I crawled into his lap and place my legs on either side of his. “Aaron, the difference is you did it to help me, not to trick me or hide something from me.” I placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you,” I murmured against his mouth.
He stood, with me still in his arms, and started walking toward the stairs. “Time for bed, Racy Macy.”
Epilogue
One Week Later
Ididn’t wait for Aaron to come inside. As soon as the clock struck five o’clock, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the office frantically waving the papers in my hand.
Aaron looked up and climbed off his bike when he saw me barreling toward him.
“They came today!” I yelled. “I’m officially divorced!”
I launched myself into his arms, and he swung me around in a circle before kissing the ever-loving shit out of me. He placed me on my feet and cupped my cheeks with both hands. “Marry me,” he said softly.
My heart felt like it stopped for a few beats before it started beating rapidly in my chest. “Aaron, I-I,” I stammered. I inhaled deeply and tried to calm myself down enough to formulate an answer.
“What is it, Mace?” he asked. “It’s okay if you’re not ready.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not that.” I paused and took a step back. “Can we talk about this at my apartment? Or your place?”
His face fell, but he nodded and held my hand as he led me to his bike. I should’ve known he would choose my apartment since it was the closest.
As soon as we were inside my apartment and the door was securely closed, I turned to face him and blurted, “I can’t have children.”
He blinked and cocked his head to the side. “I know that, Mace.”
“I’m infertile, Aaron,” I clarified.
“Yeah, you already told me that.”