Page 4 of At His Wife’s Behest

Kellan swallowed the lump in his throat.

“Amanda,” Emma whispered, tears shining in her eyes. “She deserves better than to be my mistress. I want to make her my wife.”

Guilt bubbled in his chest. Technically, Emma and Amanda had been off-again when Abigail had happened. Too much drink between two miserable people had ended with a bevy of bad decisions. Not that he’d change any of them.

Not if it meant he’d lose Abigail.

Yet, there was a sense of guilt. Emma and Amanda had been on and off for years. He’d expected they’d likely get back together again. They always did.

“Fine. I’ll agree to the divorce. I’ll stay so I can be close to Abby and attempt not to uproot her entire life. If you want to shout to the world that you’re a lesbian, fine. Me? I’m not ready.”

“Kel…”

“You’ll get what you want. Freedom and Mandy,” Kellan said, pulling from her grasp and reaching for the door. “I need to go check on Abby.”

It was hard to breathe as he stalked away from Emma.

Easier once he had one of Abigail’s hugs.

Her hugs could cure any ailment known to man, and oh boy, did he need some of those.

He marched her outside into the fresh, spring afternoon, and watched as she played on the custom, lavish jungle gym Emma’s parents had commissioned just for her.

Her laughter as she raced up the rope ladder was a balm for his soul.

She paused on the highest peak, turning to wave at him.

“Hi, Daddy!”

“Hi, Baby,” he called. Her smile was infectious, even in his lowest moments. She was the best thing he’d ever done.

Don’t you think we owe it to our daughter to be our authentic selves? To end the cycle of shame and lies?

Kellan forced Emma’s words from his mind. His freedom would simply have to wait for his own way out. His parents weren’t getting any younger, no matter how youthful and virile they made his father out to be. Time would pass, and he’d get his out.

Eventually.

A month later…

When the chime of a text sounded, Emma grabbed her cell. It was a number she didn’t recognize. Reading the first line, she gasped. She stared at the message, doubts hitting her square in the chest. She lifted her gaze to Amanda. “What if I’m wrong about this?”

“What if you’re not?” Amanda replied.

Shaking her head and steeling her resolve, she hit the text, opening it.

Good morning, Mrs. Shelby. This is Kimber from Equis Matching. We were told that you had a special request. If you can outline what it is you require, perhaps we can fulfill that need.

Emma inhaled. Exhaled. How in the world did she explain?

Hello Kimber. I need someone for my husband. Or rather, soon-to-be-ex-husband.

Are you looking for help in getting that divorce? I’m afraid that’s not one of the many services we provide.

“Shit… she thinks I’m trying to get dirt on Kellan.”

Amanda strolled closer and slipped onto the sofa beside her. “Explain it to them, babe.”

Emma considered her words a moment. I adore my husband. We’re best friends and will remain so, even after our divorce.

Yet you are getting divorced.

Emma huffed. Let’s just say it was a marriage of convenience. She thought better and added more. You know what, no point sugar coating it. It was a lavender marriage.

Ah, I completely understand. Is your husband aware you’re communicating with us on his behalf?

Emma chuckled. No way would Kellan agree to her plan. Not exactly.

I still fear this might not be the right situation for us. We typically work one-on-one with our clients to find what it is they want and need.

Emma hit the speech-to-text button, lifting the phone closer to her mouth.

She captured Amanda’s gaze, seeking strength.

“Please. He’s lonely. Even here, with us, I can see it in his eyes and feel it in his heart.

He pours himself into raising our daughter.

She’s the light of our lives. He only sees himself in his role as her father, and he’s so much more than that.

He needs to be reminded what it feels like to be a man.

To want. To be wanted. To be touched. I can’t give him those things, but I can seek someone who can.

Someone to reawaken him.” After re-reading for mistakes, she hit Send.

“Nice,” Amanda murmured.

A full minute passed with no response. Emma stared at the screen, willing a text bubble to appear. “Nothing. I think they’re out.”

“I’ve never known you to give up that easily,” Amanda said.

Emma lifted the phone to her lips again, hitting the speech-to-text function.

“I love Kellan. We’ve known each other since we were children not much younger than our daughter is now.

I know him, inside and out. He needs a spark to rekindle the fire inside.

I don’t know where else to turn. Please help me. Help him.”

Emma hit Send and stared at the screen, willing Kimber to reply. Finally, three dots appeared. She let out a sigh of relief, but she still didn’t have a yes. “Please, please, help me make this happen,” she whispered to the phone.

I think I might have someone that could help your husband.

“Yes!” Emma cried. Thank you. Emma’s face hurt from the smile stretching it. What do we do next?

There’s the matter of compensation and then…

Then what? Emma asked herself, frowning.

We’ll need to come up with a scenario where your husband will come face-to-face with his date. I’ll need your assistance there.

Emma grinned. I’ll work on that plan and get back to you.

She turned to Amanda, tossing the phone onto the coffee table in front of her. “We need to come up with a scenario to get Kellan outside the US, as far from Texas as we can.”

Amanda’s smile widened. “Shenanigans. I love it.” She tapped the side of her chin. “New Zealand? He loved it there.”

“He won’t go on a vacation. Not without Abby. This needs purpose. Make him think he has to go.”

“Hmmm…” Amanda was silent a moment as Emma wracked her brain. “What about the Lake Como villa?”

“What reason would I have to send him there?”

“You just said last night that you were considering selling it.”

“Another of Dad’s impulse buys. He bought it, went there once, and never went back. That big old place sitting empty is ridiculous.”

“Agreed.” Amanda smiled. “You’ll need to go discuss the sale with the agent, of course.”

“Yeah,” Emma said, frowning. “But what does that have to do with Kellan?”

The lightbulb went on in Emma’s head and a smile formed on her lips. Amanda returned the expression.

“Got it?”

Emma nodded. “Yeah. Good idea, babe.” She leaned forward and drew Amanda closer. “How did I get so lucky to have you in my life?”

Amanda scoffed. “I don’t know, but you are quite lucky.”

Emma kissed Amanda, knowing she wasn’t deserving. She’d spend the rest of her life making it up to the love of her life.