Accidental Tryst Read online

  After twenty years together, he knew his wife’s body better than her own doctor. She might have been faking it before, but with some patience, that would be a thing of the past.

  All he needed to do was find an opportunity to show her he deserved a second chance.

  Chapter Nine

  Angie swung by Terri’s office to pick her up for lunch. They opted for a restaurant within walking distance that was known for quality food and relaxing atmosphere, which was perfect for having a private conversation.

  After twenty minutes of catching up on happenings in their lives, mostly surface stuff, Terri went straight for it. “So tell me, what’s going on with you and Mac?”

  Angie blotted her lips with the cloth napkin and placed it on her lap. “How perceptive you are.” She gave her friend a small smile. “Actually, that’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Mac and I are getting a divorce.”

  Terri reached across the round, wood table and covered Angie’s hand with her own. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Thank you. When I think about it, it’s been in the works for years.”

  Terri nodded. “That’s how I felt with Glenn. You don’t go into a marriage expecting it to end.”

  “Exactly.” She inhaled. “Now I’m sorta just getting through the days. I’d really like your advice.”

  Terri glanced up at the large group passing by, then focused back on her friend. “You’re doing just what I would recommend at first. Take it day by day. Have you contacted an attorney?”

  “Yes.”

  “I assume there’s nothing there worth salvaging, and you don’t think you could stay together for the kids?”

  Angie’s throat tightened, and she shook her head.

  Terri’s eyes read concern. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  God, she couldn’t say what she wanted. She wanted to talk sometimes. Sometimes not. She wanted to scream, and cry and have a pity-party. She glanced down at her plate. “I think Mac’s years of traveling really took a toll on our relationship. Gone Monday through Friday, week after week, month after month. Then golf outings. I’d gotten so used to being alone,” she shrugged her shoulder, “and lonely.”

  “Do you think he had an affair?”

  “No, I don’t. It would be easier, I think, being able to blame some random woman. But we grew apart and I didn’t know how to reconnect. Ya’ know? I’d try, like on our ten-year anniversary, I had a romantic getaway planned at a hotel. Mom was going to watch the kids. But Mac was called away for work. I’d plan a few other things and want to go out, but, I don’t know,” she shrugged her shoulders, “maybe I didn’t try hard enough. Because later on in the relationship, when Mac did want to go out, I wasn’t interested.”

  Terri nodded.

  “Now with his promotion, he doesn’t travel, but we can’t seem to get back in sync. It got to the point where we were arguing so much, it’s exhausting. So then I’d retreat, and he’d retreat . . .” She sighed. “Frankly, we were having more bad days than good.”

  Terri’s sad eyes showed she knew just what Angie was going through.

  Angie pushed aside her water glass and tended closer. “Terri, do you want to tell me what happened between you and Glenn?”

  “We were very much like you and Mac. The distance grew between us, and we didn’t know how to fix it. When I heard about the first affair . . .”

  Angie silenced her gasp.

  “. . . I suggested we go to counseling. I quickly learned that counseling only works if both people are willing to try. Not too much longer, I realized he was a serial cheater.”

  “Oh, Terri.”

  She grimaced. “I’d heard once that men in the gas and oil business make pro sports players look like Mother Teresa.”

  “I am so sorry.”

  Terri took a sip of her tea. “Thank you. It turned ugly quickly. He lowered the credit limit on my credit card, basically cleaned out our bank account, and got nasty leveraging the kids.” She looked up from her lunch. “Try not to let it get bad, Angie.”

  “Thanks, Terri.”

  “Each day gets a little easier. It just happens slowly, so hang in there. Take it one day at a time.”

  They finished lunch, and although Angie lost her appetite, she forced the last of her pasta salad down. She and Terri committed to staying in touch. Terri promised to be there for her, whenever she needed a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Knowing she had her long-time friend in her corner helped ease the ache in her heart just a bit.

  They hugged goodbye and went their separate ways at work.

  Angie knew she had a long, emotional road ahead. She’d have to take it one step at a time like Terri said. Deep down she wished she didn’t have to go through this, yet she just didn’t see another option. Terri words nagged at her. Would Mac turn into the vengeful ex-husband? Put her through the kind of crap Terri’s ex-husband did. Would he play hardball in a divorce?

  Did she have much choice in the matter? She was miserable with Mac, and miserable without him.

  Cameron and Pete were already at Xavier’s when Mac walked in. Mac watched the waitress approach their high table when Cam caught sight of him and waved.

  Mac strode through the upscale bar, conveniently located two blocks from his office. The owners pumped a ton of cash into the place—polished hardwood floors, shelf upon shelf of gleaming liquor bottles, and a mahogany bar that probably cost a year’s worth of mortgage payments.

  “My man. Glad you could make,” Pete greeted him with a quick hug and an exuberant smile. Pete was the shortest of the group, but with his sense of humor, his wife fell hook line and sinker.

  “How’s it going?” Mac asked them both and shook Cam’s hand.

  “We just ordered a round of beers and tequila shots,” Cam said. Cameron took off his jacket to hook over the back of his barstool. The way his shirt pulled over his arm muscles showed his stocky build.

  “Oh, he’s ready to let loose.” Mac looked Pete’s way with raised eyebrows.

  Pete shook his head and grinned.

  “So, how’s it goin’, Pete? Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “It’s good. Work got crazy, but things are settling down now. How ‘bout you? What’s new in your world?”

  Before Mac could answer, Kurt stepped up to the table. “Dudes. So good to see your ugly faces.” He hugged his friends and shook hands.

  “Ugly? Speak for yourself. You’re the oldest.” Pete slapped him on the back.

  Drinks arrived and everyone got comfortable on the barstools. Conversation started with the usual bull—who was closing more deals, whose handicap had improved, and when the hell was Kurt ever gonna settle down like the rest of them. Kurt could have any woman he wanted—charming, good-looking, million-dollar smile—but he had little interest in settling down.

  Mac knew he would need to share his news, but it would keep. The libations were flowing and so was the laughter. He didn’t want to spoil it.

  He turned to ask the waitress for another round when out of the corner of his eye he spied Camille walking in their direction, wearing a deep purple skirt suit with a low-cut blouse.

  Mac rarely saw Camille outside of work. And as she walked in alone, it occurred to Mac that he rarely saw Camille with a man.

  Every year Frisco would hold a company picnic, and maybe twice Camille had brought a guest, but that’s it. She’d otherwise make an appearance, make sure all the executives saw her, then she’d leave.

  How strange that she’s here now.

  She stopped at the space between Mac and Cam. “Hello Mac, Cameron. How are you gentlemen doing tonight?”

  Both Pete and Kurt went slack-jawed, their eyes glued on Camille.

  “Hello, Camille,” Mac acknowledged her.

  “Camille, this is Pete and Kurt.”

  Each man rose, and she reached across the little table to shake hands.

  “Nice to meet you,” she said with a smile.

  “Likewis
e.” Kurt’s smile was unrestrained. “Care to join us?”

  Mac wanted to kick Kurt under the table. And would if he thought he could get away with it. This night was for the guys. For drinking and cussing and shooting the shit.

  “No, but thanks for the lovely offer. I’m meeting a friend.” She rested a hand on Mac’s shoulder. “I’ll leave you to enjoy your evening.” She pivoted Mac’s direction. “So great seeing you outside of work, Mac.” She smiled, then sauntered over to a table by a window with two other women already seated—four pairs of eyes tracking her.

  “Holy mother of God. Would you two care to tell me who that beauty was and why neither of you ever thought to introduce me before tonight?” Kurt glared from Mac and Cam and back again.

  “I’m happily married. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Cam replied before lifting his beer mug.

  “And you?” Kurt jutted his chin Mac’s direction.

  He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m actually surprised to see her here.” He wrinkled his brow. “I rarely see her outside of work.”

  “Yeah. Odd, huh?” Cam chimed in.

  “Well, before this night is through, I’m gonna have her digits.”

  “Good for you and your one-track mind.” Cam patted Kurt on the back.

  “You slackers are just jealous because I’m the only one not married. I’m still gettin’ some anytime I want it.”

  “Gettin’ some VD,” Pete said into his beer.

  Mac smirked, and Cameron laughed.

  “Yeah. Yeah. Laugh all you want. You know I’m right.”

  “Actually, about that.” Mac knew there would never be a time he’d be comfortable telling his friends his wife wanted a divorce.

  All eyes trained on him.

  “Angie said she wants a divorce. I moved out Saturday.”

  The expletives flew.

  Cam cupped his hand over Mac’s forearm. “Shit, Mac. I had no idea. What are you gonna do?”

  “What can I do? I should have seen it. We’ve been arguing on and off for a while.” Mostly on. “And I still love her, but maybe she doesn’t feel the same way.”

  Pete looked over at him. “Let us know if there is anything we can do. Anything at all.”

  Mac nodded. “Thanks, guys. Now let’s not let this put a damper on the evening. Kurt, when the hell are the Stars gonna recruit some real talent?”

  Kurt grinned at the ribbing. “You ass. We have real talent, but I can tell you this. We’ve got some up and coming talent from Kansas City I’ve got my eye on . . .”

  Kurt continued talking about hockey and recruitment; Mac lost his focus.

  Mac was glad he’d told his friends, but every time he talked about moving out or divorce, it felt all the more real. That scared the crap out of him. The more time he spent away from Angie, the harder it might be to get her back.

  Several times in the last few days, he’d replayed instances when she’d needed him, but he always had an excuse. He’d taken her for granted. Maybe this would be a good time to go see that counselor.

  He had to find a way to show her he deserved a second chance.

  Chapter Ten

  “Woman, you need to make a change.” Angie sighed and shook her head as she stared at her naked body in the bathroom mirror. The pooch of a stomach seemed to have grown in the last few weeks, which was ironic since she had no appetite. The circles under her eyes and pale skin tone had dissipated, but the lingering signs of depression were still there.

  “Maybe this is a good time to join a gym,” she said out loud.

  She pushed open the closet door to retrieve something that could serve as a gym bag and loaded it with shorts, tank top, shoes and socks. Rummaging through her drawers, she found a sports bra. When was the last time she’d worn that thing?

  Angie knew working out would be good for her, even if she wasn’t much of a fan. She used to belong to a gym, but couldn’t remember why she stopped going.

  Oh, that’s right.

  As the boys’ schedules had gotten busier, she found it hard to fit in. Early on, she and Mac would work out together. But as his work got in the way . . .

  How often work had gotten in the way of their relationship.

  The story of their ten-year anniversary she’d told Terri popped in her head. Angie’d planned a hotel “vacation” downtown. She’d called her mom and arranged for her to babysit the boys for a weekend getaway. She had the room stocked with cheese and fruit, a few bottles of wine, roses and candles. She’d even shopped for sexy lingerie at Lucy May, her favorite online lingerie store. Everything had been perfect.

  They were on the way to the hotel when Mac got a call. Something about a proposal for a big client in California that was under critical deadline. He’d turned the car around, dropped her off and went to the office. His apologies were sweet and appreciated, but looking back she thought maybe that was writing on the wall. Maybe that was the beginning of the end.

  Her eyes grew misty, and she dabbed them with a finger. She couldn’t start crying again when she was a minute from the office.

  Keep it together, Ang.

  * * *

  The morning was so busy that Angie had no choice but to eat at her desk. At this pace, she’d have no energy to go to the gym after work.

  “Hey.”

  Angie peered up at the adjoining cubicle. “Hey yourself. How’d it go?” Every so often, Nicci took the morning, sometimes the entire day, to take her mother to her doctors’ visits.

  “Good. That woman will outlive us all.” Nicci grinned. “So, you look like you were doing some heavy thinking.”

  “I’m going to join a gym.”

  “Good for you.”

  “And I was thinking about how tired I am and wondered if I will even have the energy to work out.” Angie grimaced.

  Nicci rested her forearms on the top of the cube wall. “Well, some of that might be because of everything you’re dealing with right now with Mac.”

  She nodded.

  “Another thing could be your hormones are crashing. That can affect your energy level, as well as concentration, sleep, and sex drive.” Nicci lifted an eyebrow. “You know I’ve been taking maca root for years. Maybe you should get some.”

  Nicci had suggested maca some time ago, and Angie clearly had forgotten about the supplement.

  “You know, this is another reason why you’re my best friend.”

  Nicci grinned like a proud feline. “I know. I can’t help being brilliant.”

  And both women laughed. She actually laughed, probably for the first time since she’d told Mac she wanted a divorce. Maybe this proved that she was going to get through this entire mess after all. Just maybe.

  It had been two weeks since Mac’d moved out and, it felt like two years. The boys were trying hard to hide their animosity, but she could feel it whenever they’d pick at each other or make some snide remark.

  Angie bumped up the level on the elliptical. She considered making an appointment with their school counselors, to fill them in on the dramatic changes taking place at home. The teachers may not give any leniency, but she’d hope for understanding at the very least.

  On the bright side, this was her fourth trip to the gym this week. She made a conscious effort to load her gym bag into the car every morning before leaving for work.

  Grocery shopping started to take a different feel too. Angie focused on buying less processed food and more organic items. Slowly, she was noticing a difference.

  A man had pushed his cart down the aisle and looked back at her as she pulled some fresh basil off the rack. She’d hid her smile, and her delight.

  She glanced at the clock on her phone. Two-hours before kick-off. Robbie made her promise to take them to the game, although she already knew, he wouldn’t be sitting with her. He’d be off with his friends in the student section.

  She blotted her face with a towel and went to the ab machine.

  Hopefully, Stuart would get some playing ti
me tonight. He loved football too much to sit on the sideline.

  Her phone vibrated. She glanced down at the screen to see a picture of her and Mac taken at a birthday dinner they’d had at a fine restaurant seven years ago. Looking at it now, she wondered why she’d never updated it.

  She simply stared at the screen, biting on her lip, hoping to calm her racing heart. Why couldn’t she answer? Finally, the phone went blank. She exhaled.

  Then, his text flashed on the screen.

  Are you taking Robbie to the game? I can bring him and Stuart home if you want to leave early.

  She really didn’t want to think about running into Mac at the football stadium. Every time she thought of him or saw him, her heart ached, her whole body ached.

  If she left early it could minimize the time she’d see him, but on the flipside she might miss a play if the coach put Stuart in.

  That’s ok. I’ll probably stay the whole game.

  He replied instantly.

  Ok. See you at the game.

  Ugh! She blotted her face with a towel. That’s just what I wanted to avoid.

  But she knew better. There would be no avoiding Mac in the future. They had two children together who would graduate from high school, graduate from college, eventually get married and have children of their own.

  How would she experience all of these milestones without him by her side?

  Tears threatened to well in her eyes.

  Don’t do it! Don’t breakdown at the gym.

  She blotted her face again and lifted herself off the machine to go do lat pull-downs. For the remaining thirty minutes, she’d worked-over three muscle groups and then stretched out. She needed to head home, check on the boys, and get dinner started. As she turned the corner, she opened her water bottle to take a large swig.

  Damn! She almost ran straight into someone. She jostled to the left, and water sloshed on her cheeks and in her eyes, and dribbled down her chin. Hands wrapped around her upper arms, preventing her falling.