Page 9 of Claiming His Wife
If her leaving wasn’t eye-opening enough, the fact that she won’t even let me pick her up for dinner sure is. She didn’t even bat an eyelash at my picking her up for our second date. Now, years later she would rather drive herself in case she needs to escape.
“That’s fine. I’ll make reservations and let you know.”
Mallory’s answer is disrupted by a yawn. A quick look at the clock shows it’s after midnight and I know she has to work early. “Get some sleep, baby. I love you.”
Just before I disconnect the call, I hear a whispered ‘love you.’
Chapter Five
Mallory
“Tellme again why you’re freaking out over what to wear tonight?” Zack asks.
Fair question. I’ve asked myself that several times and my only answer is that I want to please Scott. Dumb as that is considering everything that has happened.
I want him to want me.
“I want to look nice, is that so bad?”
“I say wear the sluttiest thing in your closet and spend the night flaunting what the bastard can’t have.”
“Gee, Jen, thanks for that amazing advice.”
Zack picks up a retro style dress that is black with little white polka dots. It’s one of my favorites because it hugs my curves and makes me feel sexy. “This and the red heels. Hair up. Smokey eyes and red lips.”
Forty-five minutes later, I’m putting the finishing touches on my lipstick and feeling like I could take on the world. Zack truly knows his stuff. He has more fashion sense in his little finger than anyone I know. I can design the crap out of the interior of a house, but I’m crap at clothes. I click-clack my way into the living room and both Zack and Jen whistle. I do a little turn, and they ridiculously clap and cheer.
“You look like a total man-eater. Scott won’t know what hit him… too bad it’s your hot-ass and not the truck he deserves.” Jen smirks at her little joke.
“Be nice,” I scold with a smile. I really do love the heck out of my crazy-assed friend. “Guess I better go…” I move to grab my purse from the chair I abandoned it on earlier and trip over my own feet. Zack’s quickness is the only thing that saves me from a brutal face-plant. “Thanks.” I giggle a nervous, slightly embarrassed giggle.
“You okay?” Zack asks, his brow lowered in concern.
I open my mouth to say ‘yes’ but instead I say, “No. I’m not okay. What am I doing? What if Scott is the same as he’s been? What if he spends all night on his phone like he normally does? What if he—”
“Mal, take a breath,” Zack says cutting off my tirade. “What if he isn’t the same? What if he pays attention and treats you like a queen?” My heart leaps because I want that so badly. I want my husband back. “You can ‘what if’ this to death, but you won’t know until you try. As much as I want you to be done with the dumbass, I know you don’t really want that.” I open my mouth to argue because I left Scott, but Zack speaks over me. “Despite everything, you still love him as much as ever. You only left him because you couldn’t stand being alone in your marriage anymore. Not because youwantedto. You leaving was an eye opener for him. This is your chance to get the man you love back.
“You just need to decide if you’re willing to risk getting hurt again or not. Call me a sentimental romantic, but I want nothing more than for him to redeem himself and earn you back. You deserve the happily ever after and I know you, Scott is yours. Once you love someone that is it for you. If I thought you could just move on with someone else, I wouldn’t be encouraging this… I’m not sure he is redeemable, but for your sake and for the sake of romance, I hope he is.”
I throw my arms around Zack and hug him until my arms ache. Jen makes a gagging noise from her spot on the couch. “Thank you, Zack. You’re right… all I can do is give him a chance. I owe it to myself to give him one last chance to make things right.”
“And if he fucks up again, I’m getting him maimed for your birthday present. I might even do the deed myself,” Jen says with a smile.
I grab my purse and head for the door. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Zack says.
I blow them a kiss through the closing door.
* * *
I runmy sweaty palms over the skirt of my dress as I approach the hostess stand.Pastasciutta,my favorite Italian restaurant, is reservation only and books months in advance. The fact that Scott secured us a table proves that he’s determined to impress. The thought both pleases me and makes me wary. I don’t want him to impress me. I just want him to be the man I fell in love with again.
“How can I help you?” the hostess asks.
“I’m meeting Scott Tramble.”
“He’s already seated, this way.”