Book 13 in the Forever Series!
How could this beloved couple be going through something so unimaginable? How did they end up this way? The papers have been signed, so is it really over for Nick & Demi? Is it Forever 'N' ever or is it Forever Never?
I stared at the envelope in Denise's hand, wondering what Mama Fran had left for me. It looked like a letter, but I guess it could be something else. Tickets to a play. A manuscript. Papers for a safety deposit box. I let out a slight giggle, when that last thought came into my mind. When Denise & Nick looked at me, with peculiar expressions on their faces, I covered my mouth. Denise held the envelope out for me & I smiled. "Thank you." I took it from her, then fondled it, a moment before I sighed & looked up at my audience. "If you don't mind, I'm going to read it later, when I'm alone. And when I'm ready."
Denise & Nick both nodded, then Denise smiled at me. "I understand. If you want to share it with me, I would love that, but if it's too personal, I will respect that, too." Denise moved to hug me, then hugged Nick. "I'm going to go. Nick, I'll see you tomorrow when you come over."
"Bye Mom." Nick said, as his mom left my house, with a wave of her hand. "You must be special." Nick cleared his throat.
"Why?"
"My grandmother didn't leave anyone else a personal letter."
I stared at Nick, his expression hard to read. He turned his head, a moment later, to yell, up the stairs, for the kids. "You have big plans for you & the kids while you have them?" I asked him, in a soft voice.
"We are going out on Joe's boat tomorrow after having brunch at my parents'. The next day, is a baseball game & then the day after that, we'll just hang out at the house for the day, since I'm bringing them home that night."
I felt a sadness wash over me, realizing that I was missing out on this family time. They weren't my family anymore, so I had to get used to this new normal. I remembered what Mercy had told me the last night she had come home from her dad's, about his neighbor. "Gonna invite Ginger over?" I smirked as I crossed my arms, trying to hide my pain.
Nick looked back at me, an amused smile on his face. "Ginger? My neighbor?"
"Yea, Mercy told me how she was flirting with you. And that she was gorgeous. And that you would probably end up dating her."
Nick shook his head as he sucked in his bottom lip & looked up toward the stairs. He let out a sigh, then chuckled, under his breath. "I'm not dating her." He said, with a sigh, as his face grew serious.
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"Not yet, anyway."
Nick sighed, again, loudly & I knew he was annoyed. "I'm not going to date her, Demi." He started walking toward me, his gaze holding onto mine, for dear life. "What part of, 'I'm not going to date anyone or sleep with anyone because my heart is still married to you' are you not understanding?" Nick's voice was low, making my insides quiver.
"I... uh... I mean I wouldn't expect you..."
"To keep my word?"
"Well, I'm sure you can understand why I can't trust your word." I whispered, blinking away the tears that threatened to fill my eyes.
