Read Online Hard Choices by Theresa Ellson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Theresa Ellson
Ads: Link
playing me, he was doing a damn good job. I was hooked. But I… I just wasn’t ready. I typed and re-typed an email back, deleting and starting over about six times. I couldn’t think how to explain things to him. Finally, I relied on the easiest thing: the truth.
Aaron,
You asked me if I was single, but I never really answered. I just got divorced from my husband of 22 years. He moved out 2 months ago. Very suddenly. Found his true love, apparently.
If I said I wasn’t interested in “celebrating” with you, I’d be lying [I hoped he remembered that part of our conversation], but this weekend is just too soon for me. I hope you understand. I look forward to seeing you again.
--Lyssa
Less than five minutes after I hit Send , I had a reply in my inbox.
He left you for another woman?!? Sounds like a complete idiot. He clearly does not deserve you. I do understand. I look forward to seeing you again. Can I email you again?
--Aa
My reply was immediate.
Yes.
I smiled to myself and tried to get some work done.
***
Robert had been busy all day, so we’d never talked again after our morning meeting with Aaron – who, I had decided, was the Universe’s karmic gift for me being such an adult in the way I’d ended my marriage. Even if nothing ever happened after today, I had thoroughly enjoyed his attentions.
I finished up for the day, and went to log off… but I doubIe-checked my inbox first. There was one more email from Mr. Sellers:
I’ll be coming up for the weekend at some point before school gets out and I start my new job. I say we celebrate early.
Heat suffused my body as I typed out my answer.
We’ll see. If you’re good.
I hit send before I could talk myself out of it. Shaking my head at my own brazenness, I logged off and headed home.
I walked into my house and headed straight into my bedroom to change into something more comfortable. Tossing my blazer on my new bed, I looked at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors that were my closet doors. I turned this way and that, examining myself in the mirror. I did look good. Damn good. I’d always been more curvy than lean, even at my trimmest. But I’d decided long ago to stop obsessing over “that last ten pounds.” J.J. had once told me, emphatically, that a woman comfortable in her skin was the sexiest thing to a man. I’d taken the compliment for what it was – a male friend complimenting a female friend. Having men who were truly just friends had been a revelation for me. It was one of the nicest things about getting a little older, a little more mature. I wondered if I was mature enough to take this thing with Aaron all the way.
I slipped into some comfy clothes and headed into the kitchen to grab some wine glasses when I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!” I called.
“Can’t! It’s locked!” Molly called back.
I ran down the half-staircase to let Molly in. “Sorry! I started locking the door.”
She shrugged. “I don’t blame you. It’s a big house, and you’re all alone here. Look! Our favorite!” she held up the wine bottle and headed up the stairs.
“Actually, the real reason I started locking it was that I was sick of Kyle bursting in!” I said as I followed her. “Scott hasn’t been by since that last time, but Kyle doesn’t even knock. What if I’m taking a bath? What if Big Ed and I have a date?” Molly guffawed. “I mean, a girl needs her privacy, you know?”
“I do know, honey! Why do you think J.J. and I have never moved in together?”
“Because he’d be jealous of your Big Ed?” I said deadpan.
“Ha! No! Because I like to pee with the door open sometimes!” We both laughed as she headed into the kitchen for a wine opener. “All right. Enough stalling. Sit. DISH!” She commanded. I laughed, and started to fill her in on the day. Her commentary had me laughing even as I felt flushed and excited recounting my morning with Aaron:
“Wait
Aaron,
You asked me if I was single, but I never really answered. I just got divorced from my husband of 22 years. He moved out 2 months ago. Very suddenly. Found his true love, apparently.
If I said I wasn’t interested in “celebrating” with you, I’d be lying [I hoped he remembered that part of our conversation], but this weekend is just too soon for me. I hope you understand. I look forward to seeing you again.
--Lyssa
Less than five minutes after I hit Send , I had a reply in my inbox.
He left you for another woman?!? Sounds like a complete idiot. He clearly does not deserve you. I do understand. I look forward to seeing you again. Can I email you again?
--Aa
My reply was immediate.
Yes.
I smiled to myself and tried to get some work done.
***
Robert had been busy all day, so we’d never talked again after our morning meeting with Aaron – who, I had decided, was the Universe’s karmic gift for me being such an adult in the way I’d ended my marriage. Even if nothing ever happened after today, I had thoroughly enjoyed his attentions.
I finished up for the day, and went to log off… but I doubIe-checked my inbox first. There was one more email from Mr. Sellers:
I’ll be coming up for the weekend at some point before school gets out and I start my new job. I say we celebrate early.
Heat suffused my body as I typed out my answer.
We’ll see. If you’re good.
I hit send before I could talk myself out of it. Shaking my head at my own brazenness, I logged off and headed home.
I walked into my house and headed straight into my bedroom to change into something more comfortable. Tossing my blazer on my new bed, I looked at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors that were my closet doors. I turned this way and that, examining myself in the mirror. I did look good. Damn good. I’d always been more curvy than lean, even at my trimmest. But I’d decided long ago to stop obsessing over “that last ten pounds.” J.J. had once told me, emphatically, that a woman comfortable in her skin was the sexiest thing to a man. I’d taken the compliment for what it was – a male friend complimenting a female friend. Having men who were truly just friends had been a revelation for me. It was one of the nicest things about getting a little older, a little more mature. I wondered if I was mature enough to take this thing with Aaron all the way.
I slipped into some comfy clothes and headed into the kitchen to grab some wine glasses when I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!” I called.
“Can’t! It’s locked!” Molly called back.
I ran down the half-staircase to let Molly in. “Sorry! I started locking the door.”
She shrugged. “I don’t blame you. It’s a big house, and you’re all alone here. Look! Our favorite!” she held up the wine bottle and headed up the stairs.
“Actually, the real reason I started locking it was that I was sick of Kyle bursting in!” I said as I followed her. “Scott hasn’t been by since that last time, but Kyle doesn’t even knock. What if I’m taking a bath? What if Big Ed and I have a date?” Molly guffawed. “I mean, a girl needs her privacy, you know?”
“I do know, honey! Why do you think J.J. and I have never moved in together?”
“Because he’d be jealous of your Big Ed?” I said deadpan.
“Ha! No! Because I like to pee with the door open sometimes!” We both laughed as she headed into the kitchen for a wine opener. “All right. Enough stalling. Sit. DISH!” She commanded. I laughed, and started to fill her in on the day. Her commentary had me laughing even as I felt flushed and excited recounting my morning with Aaron:
“Wait
Similar Books
