Summer Daze [h.s.]

Chapter 4

It's been four days since I'd last been to the club. Four days since I promised myself I'd salvage whatever was left of my marriage. Four fucking days since I'd last seen Reagan. She's texted me a few times two days ago, but I've barely responded. I hate that I've given her the cold shoulder, she doesn't deserve it. But we agreed this was just a fling, nothing more.
My gut is telling me to let it be and not see her again. I'd like to do the gentlemanly thing and end things property and say goodbye, but she knew what this was from the beginning and she made the rule that it was no strings attached and either of us can bail when we want to. The worst part is... I don't want to, I need to.

I mean, that's what I keep telling myself each time I wanna call her when Gen is giving me the cold shoulder, which to no surprise has started up again in a matter of days. My brains telling me to cut it off completely, to stop going to the club, and close the door on this mistake. But there was a part of me that whispered it wasn't a mistake. There was something special about Reagan, something alluring. She doesn't really open up much which I like for some twisted reason. Maybe it makes this whole thing easier: stay detached.

I can't shake the daydreaming though. When I don't keep busy my mind will drift to those innocent looking eyes, that sweet smile she gives when I walk in the room. It makes my stomach do cart wheels.

"H, are you ready yet?" Genevieve hollers through the bathroom door, a hint of joy behind her words. We'd planned a date night out, the first one in two years. "Yeah, I'll be right out." I button the last two buttons on my shirt and assess. The knit top fit loose perfect for a warm summer evening. I run my hands through my hair that's getting far too long on top and grab a hair clip to secure the untamed strands. I exhale a breath I hadn't realized I was holding before opening the bathroom door. Gen and I promised we'd spend the whole day and night together with zero distractions, and, well.... Let's just say I had an easier time with It.

This morning at breakfast in the sunroom, I could tell she was struggling with ignoring her ever buzzing cell phone and pinging MacBook. I'd asked why work was still bothering her when she'd said she was gonna start working a little less, but she waved it off with some flip comment about how they can't function without her. I didn't wanna push it as I'm really trying to give our relationship the attention deserves, but the longer the day went the harder it got. I know her partners are thankful for her grind until the sun rises mentality, but she promised she'd do better and I have to give her time to implement some changes. Don't I?

Exiting the bathroom, Gen was already in the foyer waiting for me. Her slender body was draped in baby blue head to toe; a matching top and wide leg trousers. Her hair was pinned back in a slick bun, not a hair outta place. I pull her in for a hug and plant a kiss on her glossed pink lips. It was short and innocent, so to no surprise my pulse didn't race, the tips of my fingers didn't tingle, and my face wasn't flushed. Not like when I'm-