Free A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber Page A

enjoy this wonderful meal,” he said. “Let’s make it a true celebration.”
    I hesitated for only a half-second before I nodded.
    Jake smiled and it seemed as if the tension eased from his shoulders. “I love you, Nichole, more than you will ever know.”
    After we finished our salads our steaks were served. Jake had ordered four side dishes, far more than we could ever eat. He dug in, and then, turning to me, he said, “I’ve missed your cooking so much.”
    That was a surprise, knowing that he often ate out at what he claimed were client dinners. Only later did I realize the majority of his so-called meetings had nothing to do with his job as the head of sales for a large wine company.
    It was almost as if he knew what I was thinking. “I’ve learned my lesson, Nichole. With God as my witness, I will never give you cause to doubt me again.”
    A knot formed in my throat. How badly I wanted to believe that was true.
    We declined dessert. Jake ordered a glass of port, but all I wanted was a cup of coffee. I excused myself and visited the ladies’ room. When I returned I noticed the hostess at our table, chatting with Jake.
    Jake slid out of the booth and stood when I returned. His manners had always been impeccable. As soon as I sat back down I doctored my coffee. Jake was smiling, jubilant. “I’ll arrange for a moving van to come and collect your things. I know you have a lease, but I’ll pay that off.”
    My head shot up. “I haven’t agreed to any such thing, Jake. Before I make a decision I’m going to need to carefully think this through.”
    He looked as if I’d slugged him.
    “This is an important decision and I want to be sure I’m making the right one.”
    For just a moment it looked as if he was about to break down. “What more can I say?” he asked. “What more can I do to convince you I’m a changed man?”
    “Be patient,” I whispered.
    “How long are you going to make me wait? Nichole, this is killing me. Please. I want my family back.”
    “I’ll let you know in a few days.”
    “Three? Four?”
    “As soon as I’ve made my decision, you’ll be the first to know.”
    He paid our bill and we left together. I paused at the hostess desk and waited while the woman called for the valet to bring around his car. I watched as the hostess returned the valet slip ticket and how Jake’s fingers
accidently
brushed against hers.
    I swallowed tightly and looked away.
    —
    Owen slept over with Leanne. I couldn’t sleep. I was up half the night. I tried to read, but my thoughts drifted back to my dinner with Jake. I knew he was sincere. I knew he had every intention of remaining faithful and he would for as long as he was able. Still, I couldn’t get the picture out of my mind of how Jake’s hand had touched the hostess’s. Anyone looking would say it was accidental, and perhaps it was. I would never know. He must have sent off some vibe for her to have approached the table while I was away, and I noticed how his eyes had briefly followed her as she’d crossed the room.
    The crux was I couldn’t trust Jake. I would spend the rest of our married life doubting him, questioning him every time he was late coming home or taking a weekend trip for business. The lies flowed so easily from his lips I would never be able to tell if he spoke the truth or not.
    Cassie had told me to listen to my gut and my gut told me the marriage was over. As badly as I wanted to believe Jake would never stray again, my gut said he would.
    With tears streaming down my face, I reached for my cell and sent him a text.
A part of me will always love you, but I feel it’s best for Owen and for me to proceed with the divorce. I wish it could be different.
    Once I pushed the send button, I went to my desk, took the divorce papers out of the manila envelope, reached for a pen, and signed my name.

I looked forward to lunch with Kacey Woodward, who had been my best friend through the years. Knowing how much she enjoyed