Page 68 of Husband to Go

Jane looks pleased.

“Exactly. The same way that you’re doing now, Kylie. So you see, life tends to repeat itself. First, with her sister, and now with her daughter. You’re going to be okay, kiddo.”

I know Aunt Jane is trying to make me feel better, but I’m not sure if her story is exactly on point. What I did is a thousand times tawdrier, and Jane speaks as if she can read my mind.

“Listen, Kylie. I realize what happened with me and Gordon, and what happened with you and Tanner aren’t the same thing, but what I’m getting at is Veronica likes to blame others for her blunders all the time. Believe it or not, when she got back from her trip and realized how close Gordon and I had become, she screamed at me for “stealing” him. You can’t steal a person. That person chooses not to be with you, the way Tanner chose not to be with Veronica.That’snot on you.”

I take in what my aunt is saying to me. What she’s saying makes sense because I know I’m not the reason my Mom’s relationship imploded. There were problems from the start, and Tanner and Veronica merely chose to look away for a long while. I take a deep breath.

“I know you’re right, Aunt Jane. My mom is a psycho narcissist who only cares about herself, and the end of her engagement is on her. But what do I do now about Tanner? I mean, I’ve already broken it off with him.”

My aunt tilts her head, her eyes narrowing.

“I think you know already, sweetheart.”

I stare at her.

“I do?”

She smiles beatifically.

“You know you do. You have to get your man because if you love him, then it will all be worth it.”

The air catches in my chest. Is this true? Even though Tanner and I have already suffered a world of hurt, is it possible to recover from the past? Is there a middle ground where somehow, we can become a true, loving couple with a future? I don’t know, but suddenly, I have to try.

21

Tanner

Ishould be at work, but I haven’t been able to get my sorry ass into the office. All I can think about is Kylie. I’ve never been rejected before. I know it sounds crazy, but every woman I’ve ever desired has wanted to be with me as well.

How do people get over a break-up?

I remember the romantic comedies my mom used to make me watch with her. The leads would always eat a bunch of ice cream when they were feeling sad while binge-watching movies. As a result, I had my assistant buy me five large cartons of mint chocolate chip, and I’m sitting on my couch, watching what has to be my tenth romantic comedy. I feel like an idiot, but I don’t know what else to do.

Plus, this ice cream tastes amazing.

Eventually, I’ll have to find a way to come to terms with never being with Kylie again but I want to put it off for as long as possible because it’s just too painful. The movies and dessert numb my mind, and that’s about all I can take right now.

About thirty minutes into my current movie, there’s a knock at my door. The doorman didn’t call up announcing anyone, so I have no idea who it could be. No one has open access to come up to my place, so I hope this isn’t anything too weird.

It sounds like they’re not going anywhere though because the knocking won’t stop even though I ignore it. In fact, it just gets more frantic.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I growl reluctantly. I wipe the ice cream from my face and go to answer the door. I’m about to turn the knob, but double check that I’m actually wearing pants.

I am. Good. They’re my dingiest pair of sweatpants, but at least I’m wearing something other than dirty underwear.

I open the door and see Kylie standing there. Out of shock, I slam the door closed. I must be seeing things. What is she doing here?

There’s no way that she’s here. Jesus Christ, I’ve gone into full blown hallucinations. I don’t think this could get any worse.

“Tanner, open the door,” she calls. “I want to talk to you.”

Can I be hearing things? Is that possible?

I open the door again, and she’s still there. Kylie is standing in front of me and looks beautiful. I swallow thickly.

“Can I come in?” she asks with a slight smile.