Page 22 of Vegas Duology

“They're going to open a chapel off the Strip and share their love by marrying others.”

“With a drive-thru window.”

“And don't forget, the slushy drink bar,” I said, pointing to the tall cups the couple held.“They're going to have the first chapel with free slushy drinks when you say 'I do.'”

Leo burst into laughter and I joined him.When the couple glanced in our direction, I did my best to stop, but I couldn't contain myself.Leo wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back against his chest in an effort to still me.

It worked.

The heat from his arms penetrated me, and I melted into his embrace.

When the couple moved on, Leo whispered in my ear, “Can I ask you another question, Lexi?”

I nodded.

He released me just enough to free one hand and lift a strand of my hair, letting it slide through his fingers.“How could your husband give you up?I mean, you're beautiful, smart, and the more I find out about you, the more I think you're fantastic.”

I liked his flattery, but I couldn’t seem to get used to it and the easy way he had of flirting with me.

“Was it an unhappy marriage?”he asked.I thought I detected a hint of hopefulness in his voice.

“No,” I said.“It wasn't unhappy at all.Andrew is a great guy; he treated me like a queen.He was a good husband.”

“Then—”

“It was me,” I said.“I ended it.”

“You didn't love him?”

“I did.I do.It's complicated.”I sighed and looked down at my feet.

“Lexi, you can tell me,” he said.“I want you to.”

And I wanted to tell him.

For whatever reason, I felt he needed to know.I shifted around so I could look at his face.“The whole thing was my fault.When I met Andrew, all I wanted was a career.Which was perfect, because that's all he wanted too.”

“And then?”Leo prodded when I didn't continue.

“And then I changed my mind.”

“About him?”

“No, about what I wanted,” I said.“I'm a school teacher.Second grade.”

Leo smiled like he was picturing it.“That makes sense,” he said.“So, you didn’t want to be a teacher anymore?”

“No.Before we got married, we decided we didn't want children.I think it was one of the things that attracted Andrew to me.”

“I doubt that was it,” Leo said, and let my hair slide through his fingers again, giving me chills down my neck.

“Regardless, he made it clear he didn't want children.And when that changed for me, I hoped it had changed for him too.”

“It didn’t.”

“No, and I'm not willing to give that up,” I added.

There was a moment of silence.