The Way That I Love You(Book 2)

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Morgan

"Could you light that candle please?" She asks Colin; setting up the very last bouquet and place card.

It's Mama T and Pops' 40th anniversary.

She took over the task of decorating and arranging their celebration dinner. Anything to get her mind off of things. Anything to stop her mind from racing.

Was it an option loathe and love your husband at the same time? Could it be true? Could she hate his guts and love him with all her being at the same time?

Yes, she could.

"It's looks great in here baby." He comes to her side and she manages a small, fake smile.

"Thank you. I hope everyone likes it; especially mom and pop."

"They will. Now come on, let's get you dressed okay? People are going to start arriving."

He wrapped and arm around her waist and led her out of the main room. They moved towards one of the private rooms that was normally used for brides and party goers to get dressed in. Once in, she moved from his embrace and over to get her makeup bag; going to the mirror. She put half her hair up and into a ponytail; leaving the back out so her waves could fall down her back. She hurried through her makeup; only bothering to do some eyeliner.

She looks out of the corner of her eye to see him scrolling on his phone again. But she's become almost immune to him; she can't get angry or sad at the moment. She's numb.

She happens to glance at the tattoo scribbled in cursive on her arm; the tattoo she's always loved. The tattoo that's only been sort of relatable one other time in her life.

"Find what you love and let it kill you."

Has she found that? Is she letting him do such a thing? Is this what it means?

She sheds hers clothes and slips on her dress; turning to move over to him.

"Could you zip this up for me?" It's a moment of silence before she feels his fingers zip her dress up. Then his lips ghosted across her shoulder; her body tensing a bit.

"All of this got me thinking...what it's going to be like in the long run for us."

Bastard.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I know we haven't even made it to five but seeing my parents celebrate their anniversary is great. I'm excited for our future because it feels bright, you know?"

Or dark. Very, very, dark.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." He turns her around and smiles down at her. It's the smile that she fell in love with; but as for the man giving it to her not so much.

"You look great...I like this dress on you."

"Thank you." He leans down to kiss her; her eyes closing as she let's his lips move with hers for a moment.

She's always liked his kisses; something special about them. Not just because they were his, but because they shared them.

But now, though she wanted to kiss all their problems away; she couldn't. Which is why she pulled away and gave him a small smile. She fixed his tie for him and pat his chest.

"We should go...so no one starts looking for us."

***********

"All the decorations were so beautiful...this was such a nice surprise." She looks from staring at Colin on the phone a little ways away to her mother-in-law. She smiles.

"I'm glad you liked them; did you enjoy yourself?"

"Oh of course. This was an amazing present...and the trip is going to be great." They had all pitched in and gotten them an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas for a week. A happy anniversary from her children.

"I hope you guys have fun. You definitely deserve it." Colin ends his call and comes over to stand next to her while they wait for the cars.

He's been talking to the woman again. It's written all over his face. Suddenly her stomach churned and she clutched it for a moment.

"Excuse me." She hurried back inside and to the bathroom that was close to the entrance. As soon as she made it into the stall she threw up the contents of her empty stomach.

But the thing is; she wasn't sick. She didn't have the flu or a fever, and she wasn't pregnant. She was sick because of the audacity of her husband. She was sick with the thoughts of all the things that were going.

But she had to get herself together. She had to get her strength back; like Sammie said.

"Babe?" She heard the door open. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just...I think I had a little too much to drink." Two glasses of champagne. Not even enough to get a buzz.

She flushed the toilet before coming out and washing her mouth out. She dried her face before she felt his hands on her hips.

"Come on, let's go home. I can take care of you."

By seeing another woman.

"Okay."

She let him sort of carry her out; back to the life of being just...a body.