Page 52 of Husband to Go

She blubbers more, trying to look pathetic.

“Is there someone else?” she asks in a small voice.

“Yes,” I answer. I’m surprised I told her the truth. Maybe itisbetter to be a good person.

Her wails get louder, becoming ear-splitting shrieks of rage. There’s no way I’ll be able to comfort her. I need to close this chapter and get moving on the next part of my plan.

“I’m going to head out. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Wait, don’t go!” There’s mascara running down her face, falling onto her dress in a mess of black smears. “I don’t mind a little infidelity. I mean, I’m no angel. Just don’t leave me. We can still be together,” she sniffles. “We’ll work it out, okay?”

This whole thing disgusts me, even though five minutes ago, I was thinking along those same lines.

“Goodbye, Veronica,” I say before turning and walking away for good.

Exiting the venue, I feel relieved. Is that what happens when you call off something that was never meant to be? It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and my head’s practically floating off into the clouds. The only problem is I still have no idea where Kylie is. I don’t even know where to start looking for her, come to think of it.

The only thing Idoknow is that I’m ready to admit my feelings directly to her. I don’t want to screw around anymore. I want to treat this relationship with the respect it deserves: honorably, with a full heart, and a world of kindness. No more Mr. Bad Guy with bad habits. Kylie deserves the best, and I want to give her that.

17

Tanner

Calling off my wedding is probably the best decision I’ve made in years. All my business acquisitions, all the money I’ve made, nothing compares to the fact that I have officially chosen Kylie, andun-chosenVeronica. Now, I just have to find my beautiful girl and tell her about the sea change that’s coming her way.

As I get into my car, I’m smiling so much that I’m worried my mouth might fall off. This is crazy. I feel absolutely, positively giddy, and filled with hope about a future with the gorgeous woman.

But where is Kylie? She hasn’t been responsive, and my attempts to elicit her location from Jane have fallen flat. This is going to call for some sleuthing.

I decide to go home and get out of my tux, before heading over to Kylie’s apartment. At least I know where she lives. It’s close to her school, and she lives alone from what I’ve been able to gather.

In about twenty minutes, I’m on her doorstep, pressing the doorbell like a crazed man. But there’s no answer. I was sure she’d be home. She talked about being a bookworm, so shouldn’t she be curled up on the couch with some novels? Evidently not.

But then there are footsteps coming from inside.

“Kylie, are you home? We need to talk. I have something to tell you.” I hope she isn’t ignoring me. I thought she might be happy that I finally called off the wedding. Did I wait too long? Was our last night together really ourlastone? It can’t be.

The doorknob turns, and my heart pounds. I’m about to see the woman I’ve been obsessed with for what feels like forever, and we’ll finally be able to be together without anything holding us back.

The door creaks open.

“Hello?” A brunette stands at the entryway, looking annoyed. But this woman isn’t Kylie. She’s pretty, but not the one I want.

“Hi, I’m looking for Kylie?”

“Yeah, me too,” she gripes.

The mystery girl turns around and goes back inside but leaves the door open. I guess that’s an invitation for me to follow her. I was pretty sure Kylie didn’t have a roommate because her apartment is a one bedroom, so I would have noticed if a second person lived here.

“Uh, do you live here?” I ask.

The girl plops on to the couch, throwing her feet up.

“No, Kylie just gave me some spare keys for emergencies, and this sure feels like one,” she pauses. “Who areyou, by the way?”

I stare hard at her.

“The name’s Tanner Logan.”