“Oh,” was his only comment. I could tell he was a little embarrassed. “She saw some guy coming off the same plane as you. I have to admit, he was a hell of a good looking guy.”
Of course I knew right away who they were talking about. It’s amazing how fast the human brain can function when it has to. Almost instantly I knew I had two options. I could say, “Oh that was Stoney,” or I could just keep my mouth shut. The chances of Nelson and Stoney ever meeting were pretty slim so I opted to keep my mouth shut; no sense putting ideas in my husband’s head.
“I’m sorry, honey,” I said after giving my daughter a hug. “I didn’t see any movie stars.”
Later that night, after Evie was asleep, Nelson and I made love…and I do mean made love. There was no third party in the room that night, just me and my loving husband. Stoney never even entered my thoughts.
It’s really strange how the mind works sometimes. Before New York I couldn’t look at Stoney without dreaming of having him inside me. After the close call shocked me back into reality I look at him now as I look at any man who isn’t my husband, with simple disinterest. When I hear the secretaries talking about him, instead of it spurring my own fantasies I think how silly they are.
I know it still irks Stoney. I can see it in his eyes. Every time he looks at me he sees the one that got away—the one who rejected him. I do confess to taking a smidgen of pride in that.
A week after I came back, Mr. Johnson hadn’t said anything so I casually reminded him of his promise. A few days later his secretary stopped by my desk with a weekend vacation package at a romantic bed & breakfast in Galena. I immediately called my mom to see if she could watch Evie for a weekend. She told me weekend after next was clear so I made the reservations. I saved it as a surprise for Nelson.
It took me a long time to get over my guilt. In fact, every time I think about it I still feel a little, even today. Luckily Nelson never knew and I will carry my secret to the grave before I hurt him. He’s the best husband and father a woman could want. Now it’s time for me to step up and be the best wife and mother.