She, the Kingdom (She #1)(60)

I opened the windows to air out the fumes, looking at my old carpet rolled up in each room. I sat down on the stool next to what was once my island. They’d removed the Formica, making it a cabinet with no top. There was a man a few feet from me, laying tile on his hands and knees. In a few minutes I was going to have to get up, and I wasn’t sure where I’d go.

Max arrived straight from work, and it gave me a strange thrill to see him loosen his tie as he walked in the door. He strolled straight up to me with a smile. He leaned in, whispering against my mouth. “Honey, I’m home.” He pecked my lips, lingering for a few extra seconds before walking to the bedroom.

I touched my mouth and smiled while I listened to him question the contractors to check on the progress. He reappeared, holding his hands out to the side. “On schedule. It will be like new by morning.”

“You’re sure?” I asked. He nodded. “Why?”

He smiled, then held my hand and pulled me to stand. “Let’s go to dinner. They’ll work faster without us here.”

I found my purse and followed Max out to his car. He covered my hand with his and held it all the way to Wichita. We pulled up to the front of a restaurant, and before I put my hand on the lever, a man in a red jacket opened my door. Max met me on the other side, and I watched as someone else drove his Bentley away.

I looked down at my casual summer dress. It was plain and gray, short and sleeveless, but with a high neckline. My curls were piled on top of my head, and the makeup I’d applied earlier that day had long ago melted away from the heat. “I don’t think I’m dressed for a place like this.”

“You’re perfect,” he said, looking away just long enough to greet the hostess. She seated us right away, in a room separate from the main dining area. It was smaller and quieter, with only eight other tables, but we were the only ones there.

Max ordered a bottle of Merlot and appetizers, and then we were alone.

“Tell me,” I said.

He grinned, looking devilishly handsome. “Tell you what?”

“Why?”

It occurred to me that we’d never been together in this setting before. The room was dimmer than the main dining room, with just a few rectangular windows near the ceiling and dark votives glowing with flickering candles.

He leaned in on his elbows. “Why what?”

I breathed out a laugh. “My house. That must have cost a fortune. The interior design woman was still gone buying new bedding and décor for the kids’ rooms. I called to warn them so it wouldn’t be such a shock.”

Max’s face fell. “Oh. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Do you think they’ll be upset? I’m often impulsive.”

“It’s different, but they’re going to be excited. But…”

“But what?” he asked, wary.

“What’s happened? You’re different.”

“I’m exactly one conniving wife lighter, and I’m in love.”

I chuckled, looking at my hands in my lap. “What happened today?”

He shrugged. “Sophie should be back in New York by now. We’ve come to an agreement. Just a few things to work out, still, but she’s very affable when caught attempting fraud. My attorney is very, very good.”

“Good,” I said, my eyebrows pulling in. “That’s good.”

“Morgan.” He chuckled. “You’re making me nervous.”

“It’s just… a lot. All at once.”

He held out his hands across the table, and I took them. “You’re right. I just heard you say the children were coming back in the morning, and I thought about buying you a new house, but the remodel was more practical.”

I smiled, hesitant to dishearten him. “We like our house.”

“That’s not what I meant. You have a very nice home. I suppose I just wanted to do something special. Something big. Have they been to Disney World?”

I pulled away, clasping my hands in my lap. “Just… slow down,” I chuckled. “It’s going to be a while before I introduce you to my kids.”

He sat back in his chair, trying to cover his disappointment. “I understand. Of course. I had it in my head that I would be there at night, but you’re right. It’s far too soon.”

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling nervous. “It’s complicated with children. I have to be careful. I’m the main component in making their memories. This is their childhood. I want them to look back and remember it fondly, not have to overcome it.”

“I understand fully. I’ll follow your lead.” His gaze fell to the table as he thought about his next words. “Morgan? Do you feel the same as I do? Or am I reading this all wrong?”

I swallowed, taking stock of my feelings. The past two weeks had been emotional chaos, and almost surreal. I cared about Max. But did I love him?

My inability to answer right away made him suck in a breath and then blow it out. “I feel like an ass.”

“No, don’t!” I said, reaching for him. “I’ve only ever said it to Nick. It doesn’t come easy for me. And, this is a lot. All at once. I know I’ve said that already, but… I’m a little overwhelmed. The remodel, Sophie’s disappeared and is suddenly no longer a problem, Colton today, and now it seems I’m in a relationship…”