Free Lost Angel (The List #1) by N K Love Page B

difficult ride for me. I know that I
felt that way because the house used to belong to his parents. So even though
financially I own half of it, I’ve cleaned every inch of it, decorated it and
treated it as ours, I never admitted until now that I would’ve preferred to
have started afresh in a home that held no memories except the ones Mike and I
made together.

After some general chitchat about what we’ve been up to over the last few days,
Mike goes to make us a drink. I wander around the room that once was ours and
the only thing that stands out is that he’s removed our wedding photo that was
in an antique frame on the side unit. I think I would have done the same if it
were me living here instead of him. I’ve housed all my material marital
memories, like photos and keepsakes in a couple of boxes labelled ‘memories’.
It’ll probably end up in storage when I eventually buy a place. My mind drifts
off, wondering what frame of mind I will be in when I next decide to dust off
those boxes and delve in, reminiscing—
    As I contemplate, I idly take my jacket off and
drape it over the back of the sofa. Mike reappears with our drinks just as I’m
flicking my hair back into place and I catch him looking me up and down. He
reverts back to my face after lingering on my thighs and Miss Fierce is trying
to high-five Miss Innocent who’s blushing shyly. “Beth, I’m sorry if this
crossing any sort of line but you look lovely! Not that I expected you to have
let yourself go or anything but yeah, something is… different… Are you happy? I
mean, you do look happy… Are you?”

I’m pleasantly surprised and take a cheeky second to enjoy the rare occasion of
witnessing Mike getting uncharacteristically flustered, especially considering
I caused it. He is not one for dishing out compliments, always leaving me to
draw my own conclusions. I didn’t mind because it just made me want to try
harder for his affection. But after harnessing the confidence boost last night’s
male attention has given me, I realised something. It’s super important that
the person you love tells you and shows you how you make them feel. I
haven’t seen Mike react like this to me for years and it gives me a warm buzz.
    “Yes Mike, I am happy. I strangely feel like this is my second chance, you
know? I’m gonna take some time out to enjoy life… Not that I didn’t enjoy my life
with you… I didn’t mean that . I just mean I’m going to concentrate on me
for bit.” I hope that didn’t sound hurtful. “How about you, how are you
feeling? I was thinking that it’d be harder living here, with all our history—”
I drift off, aware that I’ve started waffling.

“Yeah, it’s been tough at times but I bought a new bed… That helped!” Grinning
widely he sips his cup of tea.

“New bed? Gosh I didn’t even think about that, yeah I would have totally done
the same thing.” I feel quite inconsiderate for not taking a little more time
to imagine things from his perspective. Although, Mike is so self-assured and
there’s not an ounce of regret written on his face, which I find comfort in.

“Beth, those memories we made here were all happy ones so it’s not difficult to
be around them, honestly.” What a lovely thing to say. His words appear
heartfelt and I feel lighter by the minute. “Plus you know what my schedule is
like; I’m hardly here anyway.”
    Once I finish my coffee Mike brings in a small boxes he’s filled with things
he’d come across like CDs and books. There’s also a bag of clothes from the
laundry that he’d washed. We briefly discussed the separation and the fact that
we need to be separated for two years before we can file our petition for
divorce. Then it’ll be based on the grounds of ‘The parties to the marriage
have lived apart for a continuous period of a least two years immediately
preceding the presentation of the petition and the Respondent consents to a
decree/order being granted.’
     
    I