Read Online Summer in Sorrento by Melissa Hill - Free Book Online Page A

sadly.  “ And maybe I was hoping that just being in a different place, away from home, would be an instant fix.  You know, like a vacation high of sorts?  But if anything, she seems unhappier . ”
                  Maia nodded as Hal continued.
                  “ You know the thing is, we both have spent so much of our time consumed with our careers, and I do n’ t care what she says, she is just as committed to hers as I am.  Having kids was never a priority for us, and we met at a time when we were both older, knew what we wanted out of life, had the means to do things.  But then I guess, something changed.  Most days I feel like we live separate lives.  Like we are married, and live together and go out to dinner, and do all the things that married couples do, but exist in two completely separate universes.  We might be talking over breakfast, but our minds are in two separate places, already going about our day.  Tha t’ s how it feels to me . ”
                  Maia considered Ha l’ s statement, and then took in his appearance.  Yes, at that moment, he was well turned out, in a polo shirt and khaki shorts, but he looked tired.  Maia wondered if Lori noticed tha t— the fatigue in his eyes and the lines on his forehead.  It was clear that Hal understood Lori was unhappy, he just was n’ t sure about what to do about it.
                  “ You look like you could use some coffee.  Why do n’ t you come into the house?  I had a pot brewing before I came out here . ”
                  Hal agreed and helped Maia carry one of the overflowing baskets full of azaleas.  Once they reached the kitchen, she took his load before grabbing a mug and pouring him a cup of coffee.  Settling him in at the kitchen table, she began pulling vases from the kitchen cabinet s— she needed to get these flowers in water.
                  Hal sipped his coffee and nodded his head appreciatively.  “ Tha t’ s good.  Thank you . ”   She murmured a“ yo u’ re welcom e” to him.  “ You know, I love my wife. I really do.  Please do n’ t get me wrong there, no matter what she told you . ”
                  “ Oh I think she knows that you love her ,” Maia said, hoping her words were true.  “ I think you guys just might be in a slump.  Tha t’ s all. You just have to make a bit of effort, change things around, do something different.  I think the two of you have to remember how to be a couple again.  If you are on different wavelengths, maybe i t’ s time to start crossing your wires again ,” she smiled, hoping that Hal did n’ t think she was making some sort of sexual innuendo there.
                  Hal tapped his fingers on the kitchen table.  “ So, what do you propose?  I mean, I’ m a man, you have to talk to me like I’ m fiv e— or so my wife thinks . ”
                  Maia barked a laugh as she finished arranging the flowers in one vase.  “ Well Lori said yesterday she wanted to go to some trattoria yo u’ d been to before?  And she was also interested in a bike ride.  Wha t’ s stopping you from doing that ? ”
                  Hal shrugged and looked uncomfortable.  “ I do n’ t know, I guess there is something in me that feels like situations like that, going on a bike ride just because you are on vacation are contrived.  We would never do that at home.  Tha t’ s just not us . ”
                  Biting her lip, Maia mumbled ,“ Hmm, I see .” She remembered what Lori had said the day before about how Hal used to be spontaneou s— she wondered what happened to that sense of adventure. 
    Life, apparentl y .
    She took the vase of flowers that she was working on and placed it on the sideboard in the kitchen, taking a moment to admire it before she spoke again.  “ But is n’ t that some of the point for escaping from the day to