Chapter 17 #2
This made Greer suspicious, and he said, "Can I ask you something?"
“Sure," replied Taylor.
"Are you drinking water for any particular reason?"
Taylor thought that was an odd question and asked, "No particular reason. Other than what I told you earlier. Last time, I drank way too much and have not quite gotten over it. Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. Call me crazy, but in the movies, whenever a woman drinks water, it is because she's" Greer hesitated, "pregnant."
"Well, I can assure you that I am not." Laughing at such a ridiculous idea, Taylor said, "Remember I told you that is impossible. I am just parched and want some water."
"Stranger things have happened, you know."
"Not that didn't involve a miracle."
"Yeah, but we didn't use anything. We were both clean, and you said it was fine. But I just wanted you to know I would be there for you if something happened."
"First of all, I appreciate that. Second, there is a lot about that night that I still don't remember.
That last bit of information would have been helpful about two months ago.
I could have avoided a very awkward moment at the doctor's office.
That was my first and last trip to be tested for STDs.
And, lastly, I am not now or will I ever be pregnant.
So you don't have to worry about this anymore. It's all good."
Nodding, Greer said, "No baby, got it. It sounds like there is a story there."
"Yes, there is one that I am happy to share, but maybe not today. But soon, I promise."
Greer reached over, took her hand, looked into her eyes, and said, "I want to know everything you are comfortable sharing.
I hope you feel this thing between us too.
We rushed the beginning. I want to see where this might go.
I am willing to go as slowly as you want.
Just always be honest with me. Whatever you tell me, I won't judge you.
But, I want to know your truth. I want to know what brought you to that rat hole of a bar that night.
And I want to know what made you run the next day.
I won't hurt you. We'll go at whatever pace you want.
" Rubbing his hand up and down her arm, he added, "I won't lie.
I still have a powerful hunger for you. Seeing you today was like a rocket going off in my gut.
I haven't been able to think about anything else but being with you since.
I want to…" As he said this, he leaned into her, his lips just inches from hers.
His words were little more than whispers.
Taylor wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and kiss him with all of the fiery passion that was threatening to erupt from her at any moment.
But, she had promised herself that she would not break her marriage vows again.
She realized she was married in name only, and Bennett was likely already in an intimate relationship with Poppy, but two wrongs did not make a right.
Pulling back slightly to give herself room to breathe, she cut Greer off mid-sentence. "I can't do this. I really want to. I can't believe how much I want to. But it is just not who I am. I am still married and will be until after the election."
Greer let out a low groan and then dropped his hand, which had worked its way up to Taylor's neck, and said, "Okay, I get it.
I am momentarily in the friend zone. But tell me the truth, you feel this, right?
" He asked as he took her hands in his. "I have never felt anything like this before.
Tell me you feel it, too. It can't just be me. If it is, I will walk away right now."
Shaking her head, Taylor replied, "No, I feel it too."
At that, Greer leaned forward and gave Taylor a quick kiss on the forehead before pulling back.
Giving her his most sexy smile, he said, "Okay, buddy, let's eat. If I can't feed one hunger, I guess I will just have to gorge myself on Ropa Vieja with Arraz y Frijoles Negros."
"Um, that sounds horrible. What is that?"
"Beef steak cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a bunch of spices served with rice and beans. I promise you will love it."
At that moment, the waiter brought the drinks and took their dinner orders. Greer ordered for them, and it was incredible.
After dinner, they went to a patio bar where a salsa band played Latin music.
Greer ordered a beer and got Taylor water.
The band played for about an hour. When the music ended, Greer and Taylor ordered another round and sat enjoying the breeze off the ocean.
After a few minutes, Greer reached across the table, picked up Taylor's hand, and asked, "Can I ask you another question?
I hate to pry, but I just got to know something. "
Smiling at him, Taylor replied, "Yes, of course. Ask away."
"Is your marriage really over? I know you said it was, but you are waiting a long time to end something you say is already over. So what is the deal between you and what's his name again, that male Barbie doll-looking husband of yours?"
"Male Barbie doll husband? You mean you think Bennett looks like a Ken doll?"
"Yeah, Bennett, that was his name. And yeah, I do. With all that blond hair and prep boy good looks, don't you?"
At this, Taylor could not help but laugh as she said, "No, I have never thought he looked like a Ken doll, and he would die if he heard you say that."
"Oh, well, he does. So what's the deal? I know you said something about an election, but is that really why it is taking so long, or is it something else?"
"Yes, that is what it is. I can understand why you would question it, but the simple truth is Bennett is being vetted for a cabinet secretary position. A divorce now would kill any chances he has of getting it."
"Why do you care if he loses? Obviously, the guy is a loser. After what he did to Poppy and now to you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but Bennett is not a loser.
Just because we aren't a couple anymore doesn't mean I don't care about him or want what is best for him.
He has worked hard to get to where he is politically and will do a wonderful job.
It would be a shame if he lost his dream of serving his country because we made a mistake years ago.
As far as what he did to Poppy, I will tell you that he would never have abandoned a child he knew about.
She kept his son from him for years. What she did to him was much worse.
I am not privy to what happened with them, but I know Bennett well enough to know there is blame on both sides. "
"Wow! I have never heard a woman defend her ex before. Are you sure it is over? You called it a mistake. Is that why it fell apart?"
"So, we are getting into all of this, huh? It's a really long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
Nodding, Greer said, "More than you can imagine."
Sighing, Taylor said, "Well, okay then, but we will be here a while."
Over the next two hours, Taylor told him the whole sad story.
She left nothing out. She began when she and Bennett were kids and explained how they had grown up like brother and sister.
With tears in her eyes, she recounted how her brother and parents were killed and how Bennett jumped in and saved her from drowning in a vat of grief and depression.
From there, she explained how they had meandered into a marriage of convenience.
She quietly told him about their fruitless efforts to conceive and their long, painful ordeal with one doctor after another.
In agonizing detail, she explained how the loss of each baby had driven them further and further apart when it should have been drawing them closer together.
Finally, she detailed the last few months' events, including the roles his infamous Aunt Edna and Poppy, the Absent Artist, as she had begun to think of her, had played in it all.
She concluded by explaining that her main reason for agreeing to help Bennett was because he had always been there for her.
By the time she finished her story, she realized that she had bared her soul, and Greer had never let go of her hand once during her spill. It was as if he could not stand being so near and not able to touch her.
They sat looking at each other, exhausted as much from the activities and heat of the day as from the emotional drain of the tale. Greer sat silently, thinking for several minutes.
The silence made Taylor nervous. "Okay," she said, "say something."
He took the hand he was holding, lifted it to his lips, kissed it slowly, and said, "I was just thinking how amazing you are.
You have suffered so much heartache and pain, yet you are not bitter or angry.
Your husband cheated on you, and yet you still defend him.
If you were mine, I would never give you up for anything.
And the fact that he did shows he is a fool. "
"Yes, a fool in love with another woman. But it is okay because I am not in love with him. I never was. That was our problem. So, now you know my whole sordid tale. Next time, I want to hear all about yours.”
"I've told you some of it already, but I am willing to tell you anything you want to know, but not here. Let's get out of here and walk on the beach."