Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(47)

Chapter 26


Grayson


Going a month without seeing my wife was something I never thought would happen. I could remember missing her after only a couple days. Now, the inevitable was staring me in the face. She might never come back to me.

Two weeks after Rachel left me I started seeing a psychiatrist. I chose a female doctor, because to some degree I needed to have a woman’s perspective. I wanted to know it was possible for a female to sympathize with my situation.

After two sessions she suggested I invite my wife to go on a couples retreat. I was skeptical, especially since Rachel hadn’t wanted to be in the same room with me. I couldn’t imagine her agreeing to see me for a longer period of time.

That’s when I decided I needed to ask her in person. I got in my car and drove to her office, adamant on making her see how important it was for us.

I never expected to run into someone I recognized from being with her the night we split up. As soon as I saw him my heart began to race. Anger filled a void that had been replaced with despair for too long. I’d never wanted to haul off and hit a guy like I did him.

At first glance he acted as if he’d never seen me before. “Can I help you with something, sir?”

“I’m looking for my wife,” I said with a smirk. “Rachel. Have you seen her?”

His eyes lit up, and finally he recognized where he’d seen me before. I kept my fists tight until he responded. “She’s actually out for a lunch meeting with a client. Did you want me to leave her a message?”

“No!” I quickly replied. “I’d like to wait for her to return. Just point me to her new office.”

He raised a brow and took a deep breath. “Look, buddy, I don’t think this is a good place for you two to talk. We like to keep it calm here.”

“Unless you want my fist in your mouth, you’ll guide me to her office.” I lowered my voice when someone walked by us. “You think I don’t know who you are? I remember you. You’re the guy she’s been f*cking.”

He fastened his hand on my arm and led me to a hallway. “Listen, man, don’t make this ugly. Rachel isn’t here. You and I both know she won’t want to come back from a meeting and be faced with whatever you’re here to talk to her about. If you want to meet up later I’d be glad to help you set it up. I’m not the enemy.”

“Really?” I was amused. “You’re screwing my wife.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Not in so many words.”

He led me into an office. Right away I could tell it was his. Pictures of him and the owner, Charles were on a bookcase behind the desk. He took a seat and offered me the one across from him. “Rachel is important to this company. My grandfather cares a lot about her. With that being said, yes, we’ve become close in the past month. She and I have to work together. We’re transitioning into separate entities, and without her a lot of people would have lost their jobs. She’s an amazing woman.”

“You don’t have to tell me. That’s why I married her.”

He folded his hands together and then released them, only to do it again. I could tell he was thinking. “Why are you here, Grayson?”

“Oh, you want to be on a first name basis?”

“I’m Chad, and like I told you before, I’m not a threat to you. Rachel is goal oriented. I’ve listened to her cry, yes. I’ve been there for her, yes. Do I want to steal your wife away, well no. Despite the fact that I’d love to have a relationship with her, I know her heart is still elsewhere.”

“Coming here was a mistake.” He’d admitted more than I wanted to know. He obviously cared about Rachel. She needed that kind of attention, especially after I’d hurt her. Maybe it was time to give up. She’d clearly moved on.

“Wait,” he announced when I stood and turned to leave. “I might not think you waiting for Rachel is a good idea, but you seem like you’re desperate to talk to her. To prove I’m not a bad guy, I’ll relay whatever you want to be said. If you want to stick around here and wait, I can’t stop you.”

I pulled out the envelope I’d put the invitation in. I’d made a promise to myself that I’d try my hardest to reach her. I couldn’t back down, even if I felt it was a lost cause. “I came here to give her this. It’s an invitation to a couples retreat. Our marriage might be over. For all I know it’s what you’re hoping for. It would be decent of you to let her decided for herself. You say her heart is still with me. I need to know if there’s hope. I’m giving this to you in hopes that you’ll pass it along. If I were in your shoes I probably wouldn’t. You make the call. I think we both need to know where Rachel stands. This will settle it. She’ll either reconnect with me, or she’ll make sure I know we’re through.”

He nodded and took the envelope. “Okay. I’ll make sure she gets it.”

I proceeded to walk out of the office. “For what it’s worth, I know you couldn’t help yourself. I couldn’t either when I met her. She’s the whole damn package. I just wish I didn’t take her for granted.” I waved as I walked out of the office, but didn’t turn back. I didn’t care what he was thinking about, or prepared to say next. It was killing me, looking at him, picturing him touching her, holding her, and taking away the pain I’d caused.