A Girl's Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page B

ease and I was never sure how sincere they were.
    “You’ve lost weight.”
    I had, but I doubted that he would notice the five pounds. However, I wouldn’t keep that weight off if I continued to eat Nikolai’s delicious bread.
    Sean already had his drink—a dirty martini. He held up his glass for the waiter, who immediately stepped over to our table. I ordered a glass of white wine, which was more to my liking. Sean had never approved of the fact that I didn’t appreciate hard liquor. He would have preferred if I drank martinis or some fruity cocktail. I imagine his latest conquest slurped those down with no problem.
    We made small talk until our drinks arrived.
    Sean’s easy smile disappeared, replaced with a troubled look. “I asked to see you because I’m worried about Jake.”
    “How do you mean?” I leaned forward, holding on to the wineglass by the stem, concerned for our son.
    “He isn’t doing well, Leanne. I found him drunk earlier in the week. You know that isn’t like Jake. He was angry when I confronted him and then he broke into sobs. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him like this.”
    “I know that recently he and Nichole have reached a final settlement agreement,” I supplied. My heart ached for Jake; I knew he didn’t want this divorce. As much as possible I had stayed out of it, refusing to take sides. I wished with all my heart that I could believe Jake would remain faithful from here on out, but I had my doubts, not that I shared those with Nichole.
    Sean nodded. “That must have been what set it off. Jake is a broken man. He doesn’t want this divorce. He’ll do anything to get his wife and son back, and it’s breaking his heart.”
    “What about his…little friend?” I asked, carefully choosing the term for the woman he’d been involved with.
    Sean answered with a shake of his head. “Jake was never serious about that woman. She meant nothing to him.”
    “He got her pregnant,” I reminded him, stiffening.
    Sean signed. “He took care of that, and the girl. She’s out of his life. Jake knows he made a mistake.”
    “A doozy,” I said, and sipped my wine. “The fact that he got rid of ‘the mistake’ doesn’t matter to Nichole. Jake was unfaithful and she doesn’t think she can ever trust him again.” I knew from experience this was a key issue in any possibility of a reconciliation.
    Sean hung his head, as if the weight of his own failings fell heavily upon his shoulders. “I blame myself…”
    “It doesn’t do any good to cast blame now.” I carried my own fair share. If I could help our son I would. “What would you like me to do?” Although I asked, I knew.
    He raised his head, sighed, and said, “Will you talk to Nichole?”
    Just as I thought, but I felt at a loss as to what I could possibly say. “What do you suggest?”
    “Just what I’ve told you. Jake wants his family back and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Nichole will listen to you.”
    He made it sound as if this decision rested with me instead of with Nichole. “It isn’t as cut-and-dried as it seems.”
    “Nichole admires and respects you. You’ve been like a mother to her,” he argued. “If anyone can get through to her, it’s you.”
    I’d always wanted a daughter, hungered for a second child. At one point I’d suggested we adopt, but Sean refused. I’d gone so far as to contact a couple agencies, thinking if my husband understood how badly I wanted another baby, he’d give in. I’d been wrong.
    Sean must have seen the pain in my eyes because he leaned forward and placed his hand on my knee. “Leanne, I know that I’ve hurt you, and, God help me, I couldn’t be more sorry. What I’m asking isn’t for me. This is for our son.” His eyes searched mine and I could see the sincerity in him. “Will you talk to Nichole?”
    I knew it hadn’t been easy for Sean to reach out to me. He never would have if not for our son’s sake. I didn’t like the