Page 85 of Husband to Go
Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember that this is my life. It’s been five years since Tanner and I found one another. It was a whirlwind of a romance that almost didn’t happen, but we made it to the finish line and are now a married couple. Not to mention, we have the cutest daughter named Tamsin. She looks just like her daddy, and has her father wrapped around her finger on a string too.
Sometimes, I wake up at night startled, and feel worried I might be dreaming. But I’m not, and I’m filled with grace and wonder that everything worked out fine. Better than fine, in fact. My life is spectacular, and I couldn’t be more joyful.
For example, this morning I woke up before Tanner which is a rare event. He’s the early bird in the house and usually gets up before the sun. He likes to use the time to go for a run or read a book, and it amazes me how he has so much energy first thing.
But the days he wakes up after me are the best because I love getting a chance to watch my husband sleep. He’s incredibly handsome, as always, but it’s also the peace and contentment on his face that warm my heart. Of course, there are a few more lines now, but they’re mainly from all the smiling we do. Our life is so blessed that it’s hard to attribute the wrinkles to anything else.
This morning his hair is all floppy and getting in the way. I push it back to take in his strong features, and as I do so, my ring sparkles in the sunlight.
We’ve been married almost four years now, and we’ve been together five. It literally could not be any better. It was a little rocky at first because he had just ended his engagement to my mom, which was obviously a sticky matter. I remember my conversation with my Aunt Jane where she advised us to wait before getting married.
“We have to wait an entire year to tie the knot?” I ask. “But why?” I was flabbergasted that my Aunt Jane would even bringing up the suggestion. I was ready to pull the trigger, but my aunt was only trying to be helpful.
She sighed. “Come on Kylie, you know how cruel New York society can be. It’ll be better for both of you to keep your relationship on the downlow for some time. Trust me, it’ll be a lot easier that way.”
I knew she was right. Jane always had my best interests at heart. I knew New York high society was full of a bunch of jerks, but still, the level of scandal caused by his break-up from Veronica took me by surprise regardless.
People care so much about things that have nothing to do with them. There was a whole spread in the paper about how “man about town” Tanner Logan was back on the market after literally leaving his blushing bride, Veronica Mitchell, at the altar. Reading it was pretty surreal, and I remember blinking when I saw the headline on the newspaper.
“Look at this,” I said showing him the paper. The headlines scream:Socialite Veronica Mitchell Tells All about her Very Public Breakup from Billionaire Playboy Tanner Logan.
He snorted upon glimpsing the headline because of course my mom went to the press herself. She was playing the media and wanted to get her version of events out there instead of letting people draw their own conclusions. Veronica is savvy, if nothing else, and I had to shake my head in consternation.
“What else does it say?” Tanner asked, slowly spooning his yogurt.
“Well,” I reply, my forehead creasing. “So my mother told the paper that you two ended things amicably. There were issues that the two of you had ignored, but everything came to a head, unfortunately, on your wedding day. Oh wait, and look. Here, she hints at the fact that you couldn’t perform sexually.” I have to laugh because number one, I know that they never slept together, and number two, Tanner is amazing in the sack. But my man doesn’t look pissed, he just looks amused.
“She really said that?”
“Not explicitly. She only implied it, saying that things were lackingdown there.”
My boyfriend gets a good snort at that one.
“Well, let her have her little fantasies. Veronica will always be Veronica, and as long as she doesn’t bother us, I don’t care.”
That was one of the last times we mentioned my mother. In fact, I cut off all contact with her, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. After she unloaded all that baggage and then physically assaulted me, it was a wrap. Without her, I’m happier, my body feels lighter, and so many of my worries have evaporated. I have zero regrets.
Plus, although I lost a mother, I gained a sister of sorts. Lacey and I have become friends, and I think the thaw between her and Tanner is beginning to melt. They respect one another, and occasionally, we meet up with Lacey and her son for playdates with Tamsin. It’s a happy family gathering, and I feel what I lost with Veronica doesn’t even compare to what I’ve gained with Lacey.
So yes, things take time.Everythingtakes time. But after a year, Tanner and I were able to step out in public. People still talked, but eventually the fervor around us subsided, and the gossip columns moved on to the next thing, whether it was a widow leaving an inheritance to her pet poodle, or the break-up of a newly single Taylor Swift. Next to that, we couldn’t compete.
But that’s okay because my husband and I merely want to live our lives in peace and tranquility. I stare down at my ring, remembering how he proposed. We were at his second home in the Hamptons, and he slung a heavy arm around my shoulder.
“Oof!” I remark, cringing a little. “Your arm is heavy!”
He chuckles and presses a kiss to my head while reaching down to rub my back.
“Sorry baby. I forget sometimes because you’re so much a part of me. Plus, I feel like at this point, we know we’re going to be together forever. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
I smile sassily at him.
“Yeah, of course. Why, do you have other ideas?” I ask in an arch voice.
Tanner chuckles while pulling on one of my curls.
“I understand that it’s obvious that we’re together, but what I’m trying to say is, do you want to make if official, Kylie?”
I keep perusing the newspaper because I’m in the middle of a really interesting story.