Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(45)

This time I get a smile. “Yeah, I guess it will be okay. Only for the wedding and reception though. As friends.”

“I can handle that. Scouts honor, I won’t try to pull anything funny on you.”

“Then it’s a date, well sort of. I’ll go with you and Aberdeen to the wedding. This changes nothing. I need to know that’s going to be okay with you.”

I stick my hands in my pockets to keep them busy. I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms, but I know it’s not feasible. “Thanks, Shay. I look forward to it.”

Before I can stick my foot further in my mouth, I spin around and head to my car. I hear the kitchen door shut and know she’s gone inside. I wouldn’t call this progress, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.





Chapter 22




“I think I’ve made a big mistake,” I tell Char. I call her immediately following my visit from Brandon.

“Why, what did you do?”

“Well, Brandon stopped by and asked me to be his plus one for our high school friend’s wedding. Ab is going too, and his parents, so it’s not like we’ll be alone. Plus he’s in the wedding. He’ll have to sit at the head table and do wedding things.”

“You said you wanted to eventually do things as a family. Why not start with the wedding. It’s only a mistake if you make it one, right?”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“Look, if it’s bothering you this much you have time to back out.”

“True.”

“So, it’s probably the wrong time to tell you this, but I was on that dating site you want nothing to do with and I swear I just got matched to your husband.”

My heart drops. I feel like I’m going to throw up. “What?”

“It just popped up tonight. I’m thinking it’s a new profile. Trust me, I’ve gone through a ton of people who weren’t worth my time. Every now and again I get a new notification. It only works if he swipes to the right that he thinks I’m interesting.”

“Or attractive,” I cringe as I say it.

“Yeah, well I’m not telling you this to piss you off. If you’re considering going to a wedding as friends it will only help it stay that way. I’m going to ignore him, but I wanted you to know.”

Then it hits me. For over seven years I’ve been suspicious of Brandon cheating. Even with us not being together, he’s still giving me the impression he wants to fix things. If he’s on some dating site to meet women, this only proves he’s still the liar I assume he is. “Don’t ignore it.”

“Shay, I have a boyfriend now. It’s not super serious, but I don’t want him thinking I’m active on that site again.”

“I need a favor. That’s all it is. You can tell Shawn if you need to.”

“No. I already know what you’re going to say and you’re crazy. I’m not doing that.”

“Swipe right. See if he responds to you. Can’t you chat first?”

“You’re asking me to spy on your ex-husband. Why?”

“Let’s just say I need to know. It’s something that has bothered me for a very long time. I used to know his password to his social media accounts. I know he’s talked to other girls, but I could never prove it went further than that. Just see what he says to you.”

I hear her sigh. She’s not happy about this, but I won’t back down. “I have a better idea.”

“What could be better than finally knowing the truth?” I ask.

“Learning it yourself. I’ll give you my username and password. You talk to him and find out whatever your little twisted heart desires.” She snickers. “Have at it.”

I think about it for a few seconds. It’s actually not a terrible idea. I won’t have to share my pain when I discover the reality of what I’ve feared for so long. Sure, we’re separated. If he wants to date I can’t stop him, but at the same time it’s only been a month, and he’s still pushing me to reconcile. He can’t have both. “Okay.”

“I’ll text you my info when we hang up. Good luck with whatever you’re looking for. I’m here if you need to talk about it.”

“Thanks. I appreciate your help. I’ll talk to you soon.”

We hang up and I wait for her log on information. I’ve never been the type of person to trust online dating services, probably because I truly believed I’d met my forever husband early on. I never felt the need to look anywhere else. It scares me. I refuse to trust people on the other side of a screen, but in this circumstance I’m willing to go against everything I believe to find out what kind of person I’ve been married to all these years.

As soon as she provides me with the information I download the app to my phone and get on the site. Sure enough it’s him. Not only is it a picture I have around the house of him, but it clearly says his first name. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together. I respect Char for being honest and telling me about it. She could have saved me from being miserable, although at the moment I’m more determined and annoyed than anything else.

I swipe right and it allows me to send him a private message. I wonder if he gets an immediate match notification since I said I liked his picture. While I wait, I type a short note to see if he bites.