8. Gray #3
"She was huge." I stroked her arm. "We got married because of the twins. But who knows what would've happened if it wasn't for them."
Rose looked at me like I’d physically struck her, and I closed my eyes and groaned. "That's not how I meant it, so get that hurt look off your face, damn it. And it was years ago; I think we can let that go, don't you?"
"Of course. Would anyone like any more coffee or wine?"
"Why don't I help you?" Holden went into the kitchen with Rose.
I apologized to Rose the next day, saying I'd had too much to drink.
She accepted my apology and made breakfast, and that was that.
Now, when I thought about the conversation, I wanted to throw up.
I humiliated her in front of our friends and family.
No wonder everyone assumed that I wanted to get rid of her; let's face it, she probably thought it as well.
"I asked her if she was okay—I was shocked you’d said what you did in front of everyone like that.
Any other woman would’ve railed against her husband, I’m sure of it.
But Rose, fuckin' grace under fire, just asked me to help take the coffee and petit fours back to the living room and thanked me for checking on her. "
"I did apologize to her for that."
"And?"
"It was a "but I was drunk" apology, hardly sincere," I admitted.
"Do you resent being married to her because of the twins?"
I shook my head. "I love being married to her."
"Then why have you been treatin' your wife like dirt, Gray?"
I didn't have an answer to that. I didn't think I was. I thought we were fine. No, that's not true. I knew she wasn't happy, but I kept thinking that was because I was working all the time, and as soon as things eased up, I'd get to her. She wasn't going anywhere, but my clients might.
Bonnie came into the den then, sashaying in a too-tight dress that wasn't something I wanted to see a woman her age in.
I mean, I didn't give a shit what any woman wore; it was her choice, but Bonnie, for all the trailer trash comments she made about Rose, dressed like an expensive tart.
Even when she lived in a trailer, Rose had never looked like this.
She was always, even in cheap fucking clothes, elegant and graceful. Had I ever told her that?
Today, Bonnie was in a blue sequin number that hugged her curves.
I knew she'd had a tummy tuck recently, and it seemed to have worked because she had a flat stomach.
Rose had one without surgery because she worked out and took care of herself.
Did Rose think she needed to do that because I wouldn't want her otherwise? I had so many questions now.
"Gray, so nice to see you, honey." She gave me air kisses and then sat next to her husband. "How are things?"
"Rose left him," Holden told her.
Bonnie raised both eyebrows and clapped. "Well, hell, we should open champagne."
I glanced at her. Well, why shouldn't she think it was a moment to celebrate because even my brother, who knew me better, thought that?
"What?" Bonnie asked when she saw how sullen Holden and I looked.
"I didn't want her to leave me, Bonnie," I explained tightly.
"Really? Because it seemed like you did.
And Mama Rutherford told everyone who'd listen how your prenup was set up.
She told me that Rose hadn't even read it; just signed it.
Foolish girl, that's what your mama said.
I had my lawyers go through my agreement with Holden with a fine-tooth comb.
" Bonnie turned to her husband. "Darlin', can I have a glass of wine? "
Holden left the den to find her something to drink.
She leaned forward conspiratorially. "Gray, please do not marry your assistant. I mean, it's fine to do whatever it is y'all are doin', but just don't, you know, make her a Rutherford. Took you long enough to get rid of Rose and—"
"Bonnie, I love my wife," I cut in. "Fuckin' love her. I'm not having an affair with Aimee. I love my wife. I want my wife back."
Bonnie looked as confused as I felt. "No one thinks you love your wife, Gray," she scoffed.
"Yeah, I'm beginning to realize that I've been a class-A asshole to Rose."
"Well, at least she can't take anything from you, so that's a relief."
"Relief for whom?"
"All of us who care about you and the twins."
"You want my wife to have no money? To be fucking destitute after twenty years of marriage?" I got up, feeling bile rise inside me. "Why? She's an amazing wife and mother. Why do you dislike her so much?"
"Honestly, Gray, the question is, why do you?" Bonnie threw back at me.
"I don't dislike her, not even a little bit." I fucking love her.
"The way you treat her and the way your kids treat her in front of you? I don't think so. Holden and I may have our issues, but if our boys ever talked to me the way Jude talked to Rose, he'd lose his shit."
Holden came back with a glass of red wine and set it in front of Bonnie.
"It's the Syrah that was already open."
"Thanks, hon."
Holden sat next to his wife. "I was thinking about it, and you know who'll know where Rose is? Leah. They were close. I'd talk to her."