Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(18)

He sat there for a moment thinking to himself. “You want to devote all of your time to this? Have you spoken with your husband? I’m sure he doesn’t want you working that far away at all hours of the night. Granted, it won’t be every night, but still, problems happen.”

“What my husband wants isn’t my problem.” I finished my second glass of wine. Just hearing him being addressed made me want to run out of the restaurant, take a cab home, and drown my sorrows in whatever alcohol I could find. “He’s not staying with me at the moment.”

“Since when? I saw you together at the company picnic.”

“Since a few days ago,” I answered. “Since the day I found out the company was shutting it’s doors.”

Chad adjusted the way he was sitting. “Man, I’m sorry. That explains why you were so upset the other day. You should have said something.”

I watched the waiter come over and immediately fill my glass. I wanted to tell him to stop, but I needed the alcohol, especially now when my life’s drama was out on the table for the little prick to pick at. I took a few fast sips before continuing. “I couldn’t say anything. It hadn’t sunk in yet.”

“Did you kick him out?” He immediately threw up his hands. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business, and it’s certainly not why I asked you to have dinner. I’m bad at that. My mother used to call me Nosey Nelly. That or Tattle Tail. You could say I was a little shit stirrer.”

I smiled, appreciating him being comfortable talking about his own childhood experiences, instead of prying into my life. To be honest, he was the only person I’d been able to talk to since this started happening. It wasn’t like I could call one of mine and Grayson’s mutual friends and tell them what we were going through. I wasn’t sure I wanted anyone important to us to know. I hadn’t even told our daughter. “I caught him with another woman in our house that day.” My confession wasn’t easy to get out, and it was just as difficult watching Chad react to it.

“What the hell? Are you serious? You actually caught him?”

I nodded. “Yep.” It wasn’t hard to finish off another glass of red. The more I drank, the less I felt.

“Tell me you didn’t know her, Rach.” He seemed genuinely concerned. “Say she wasn’t a friend of yours.”

“She’s my daughter’s best friend.” My eyes began to sting. I knew I had to excuse myself to the restroom, because I was about to lose it in front of the whole restaurant. “Sorry. I’ll be right back.”

Once inside, I entered a stall and locked the door. Toilet paper wasn’t as soft as my aloe treated tissues, but it did the job. My makeup was running down my cheeks, and all I wanted to do was go home. I’d ruined the business meeting. What Chad thought had been small talk had caused me to lose my shit. I couldn’t face him. It was embarrassing that I’d blabbed to him in the first place. It only made me feel more desperate.

After a few minutes I came out and started washing my face. I never expected him to come looking for me. “You okay?”

“What are you doing in here?”

“I made you cry. I had to make sure you weren’t falling apart.”

“Too late. I’m a mess.”

He smiled and handed me a paper towel. “Do you want to get out of here?”

“I want to remain focused, so we’re able to talk about the business, but I’m afraid it’s just too soon. I can’t keep it together. Every little reminder sparks the emotions. I’m a freaking mess.”

Then Chad did something that shocked me. He pulled me into a hug and held me there. I didn’t wrap my arms around him, but I also didn’t back away. I needed this type of support. I needed to feel like I wasn’t alone, even if we were standing in the ladies room of a reputable eatery. As inappropriate as it was, I couldn’t move.

He held me for a few minutes, until a female came in to use the facilities. He looked me straight in the eyes and spoke. “I’m going to get our food boxed up. Wait here. I’ll come get you when the car is out front.”

I nodded and watched him leave me. It wasn’t the time or place to act this way, but I couldn’t help it. The wine was making it worse. I rarely drank, and one glass was my limit. I didn’t think I was slurring words, but I also wasn’t in any condition to handle myself in an appropriate manner.

Within five minutes he was back in the restroom, offering me his arm to escort us out of the establishment. We didn’t speak until we were in the car.

“I never should have pried, Rachel. I’m sorry I got you upset.”

“You didn’t. It’s not your fault my husband had an affair. It’s not your fault I wasn’t good enough for him.”

Did I really say that out loud?

“I’m still sorry for bringing it up. Let’s get you home. We can talk about work when things settle down.”

“No. I need this job, Chad. You don’t understand. My marriage might be over. I need to have my own income. Please, if you have any heart at all, you won’t turn me away. I’m desperate. I’ll do anything you need. Just say you’ll think about it.”

His jaw kept clenching, but he didn’t respond. We took the beltway home, cutting the travel time in half. When we pulled up in my driveway I expected him to drop me off and pull away, but Chad didn’t do that at all. He jumped out and helped me to my feet. Then he grabbed the food containers and followed behind me.