Free The Secrets of Paradise Bay by Devon Vaughn Archer

marriage—only succumbing to mutual attraction and needs for the moment.
    Even after the affair ended, the two had remained friends and confidants. Trey had become dependent upon Helene’s platonic friendship, filling the void for what was missing emotionally at home.
    â€œThanks for coming,” Trey told her.
    â€œI was happy to,” Helene stressed, tossing back stylishly short hazel hair. “That’s what friends are for, Trey.”
    He smiled, wondering for an instant how his life might have been had he met Helene first, assuming she had been single and available. The thought dissipated as Trey realized that Ivana would always be his soul mate and he couldn’t imagine life without her.
    â€œYou truly are a good friend, Helene.”
    She blushed and then trained bold café au lait eyes on him. “So tell me what’s wrong, Trey.”
    â€œWhere do I start? Last night I made love to my wife for the first time in months.”
    â€œIs that a bad thing?”
    â€œNot at all,” Trey stressed. “Just the opposite.”
    â€œSo what’s the problem?”
    â€œThe problem is, this morning, Ivana let me know in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t ready to resume an intimate relationship with me and I shouldn’t expect what happened between us to happen again anytime soon. Apparently last night was just a damned aberration and not a real step forward in our marriage.”
    â€œIt was a step forward,” Helene said. “Maybe a baby step. Just be patient with her.”
    â€œI’ve been nothing but patient for the past six months. I love my wife and really want to give her all the time she needs. But then I say to myself, ‘Are we simply going in circles forever with this to forgive and not to forgive? Or am I being the typical male who just doesn’t get it?’”
    â€œShe’s hurting, Trey. I would be too if it was my man who turned to another woman. No matter how much I wanted to accept his apologies and promises that it would never happen again. In the back of my mind, I’d always wonder if he could meet someone else to start sleeping with behind my back.”
    Trey grunted. Grant was twenty years Helene’s senior and treasured his wife, as far as Trey knew. But that didn’t mean the man walked on water and wasn’t vulnerable to the right temptation if it came along.
    â€œGrant isn’t that crazy,” he told her anyhow, knowing what a good catch she was for someone else.
    â€œAnd you are?” Helene eyed him with her face tilted.
    Trey shifted uneasily. “Maybe I was a little crazy at the time.”
    â€œWe probably both were. But for all the right reasons.”
    Trey wasn’t so sure about that. Was there ever any reason to stray from someone you loved? He enjoyed the intimate time spent with Helene more than he cared to admit, while filling a void in both their lives. He still wished he could take it all back, though. It wasn’t worth the aftermath.
    â€œI gave Ivana a diamond bracelet as a small token of my love,” Trey said thoughtfully over his cocktail. “I probably haven’t done enough of that lately, yet somehow it never seems to be enough.”
    â€œOh, honey, don’t beat yourself up. I promise you she loved the bracelet and still loves you. Women are very good at feeling sorry for themselves. We take it out on our men, even when we know that they’re as human as we are and can make mistakes—sometimes nearly unforgivable ones.” She put a warm hand on his. “Trust me when I tell you that no matter how wishy-washy Ivana has been, she wants this marriage to work. I know firsthand just how tender and passionate you are as a lover; as well as your gentle nature as a man. So does she, deep down. Ivana will come all the way around. Let her do so her own way. She knows what a good heart you have.”
    â€œAnd I know what a good one you