Unexpected Arrivals(65)

“Drake offered me another international position.” The sting of trying to hold my emotions at bay burned until my eyes brimmed with tears.

I couldn’t read his thoughts from his blank expression. I watched in slow motion as he lowered his glass from his lips and set it on the counter. The corner of his eye twitched, and his pupils dilated slightly before returning to normal. Then his hands went to his hair and pulled at the roots. This did not bode well for me.

“W-what?” he stammered as though he’d consumed a bottle of wine on his own.

“Yeah, Italy.” Once the waterworks started, they’d continue for most of the night. “James, I did my time. I don’t want to go overseas. That’s great for people who are single, but how can he expect employees with spouses at home to just take off for two years?” The trickle started down my cheek, and I swiped furiously at the never-ending stream.

“Tell him you can’t take the job.”

His answers were always so simple. James wasn’t taking into account this was my career. I’d been with the company for close to a decade counting my internship. The hiccup that escaped my mouth exaggerated the shake of my head. “If I don’t take it, then there won’t be a job at Halifax for me. I’ve been with them for nine years—nine.”

“I don’t think you’d lose your job if you turned down a position in Italy.” His words were harsh and insensitive, and by the scowl he tried to hide, he was aware of it. He’d hated Drake Halifax for the better part of my career. And even worse, he hated the control Drake had over the staff. James thought Drake was the master of manipulation, and this was a prime example.

“He was pretty clear that it wasn’t optional. So the question becomes, what are we going to do if I lose my job?”

I’d worked hard to get where I was. The education alone took years to obtain, and I’d put in more than my fair share of hours to impress the man behind the company name. It had paid off; he’d noticed me—it had also nearly cost me James. I refused to let that happen again.

“We don’t need the income if that’s what you’re worried about. Even without taking money out of savings or drawing off either of our trust funds, I make enough to cover our expenses. The question really isn’t what are we going to do; the question is, what do you want to do? The last time he made you an offer like this, you jumped at the chance to leave the country.” Hurt still lingered in his eyes; I’d nearly destroyed him then.

“James…”

“Just be honest with me, Cora. You have to tell me what you want to do so we can figure out what we are going to do.” He emphasized my desires and our plans, and I loved him for that.

“I have no interest in moving to Italy.” I didn’t, but even if I had, I loved my husband more than any job, and if he wasn’t on board, then we weren’t leaving.

“Have you really thought about it? Or is this you saying what you think I need to hear?” He rubbed his temples. There was something weighing on him other than Drake Halifax and us relocating.

I cocked my head to the side and stared at him, taking him in. There were bags under his eyes that normally weren’t there, the sides of his mouth turned down unnaturally, and a permanent crease stretched across his forehead that I’d never noticed before. “What’s going on with you?”

He inhaled deeply and slowly released the breath he’d just taken. Twice. “I think we need more wine.”

Jesus, this couldn’t be good. My eyes tracked him through the kitchen as he grabbed another bottle and the corkscrew. He motioned with his head for me to grab our glasses, and then I followed him out to the back porch. The sun still hung in the sky, providing a warm evening in New York. I loved this time of year. The nights weren’t too hot, yet not so cold I needed a sweater—and the sunsets were unbelievably colorful.

He turned his chair to face mine and took a long swallow of wine, or three, before finishing the glass. I stared at each movement as though I might find an answer in it. However, when he put his elbows on his knees and took my hands, I had to fight against more tears. All I saw on my husband’s face was total devastation.

“What’s wrong? Please talk to me.” My voice cracked and my throat closed. The lump hurt to swallow past.

“There’s no easy way to tell you this.”

I wanted to holler at him to just spit it out, but my mouth refused to open.

“Do you remember Chelsea?”

Of course I did. Even though it had been years since her name had come up, at one point, they were pretty good friends. While I never admitted to the jealousy I harbored for her, it existed. My feelings hadn’t been hurt when I came back from France and found out she’d flittered off into the unknown. But if she had resurfaced, that couldn’t be good. At some point, I must have nodded.

“She passed away.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. How did you find out?” I was sorry. She was close to us in age if I recalled correctly, and he had cared for her. I had feigned interest when he spoke of her during those years I was gone, so I was sure he thought it would matter to me.

“I got a letter from her attorney in the mail yesterday.” He looked up from our hands to meet my eyes.

“Why would her attorney contact you?” My head pulled back in confusion, waiting for his answer.