For Life by L.E. Chamberlin Read Free Book Online Page A

them and I don’t need to go back there again. Grady and I have never spoken about what finally drove us apart, and there was a time when I thought we should do that. No more. It couldn’t possibly solve anything. Besides, I’m fine. I was able to fall in love again, so he didn’t ruin me that badly. I may not have full closure, but at this point, a decade later, I’m content to let sleeping dogs lie.
     
    * * * *
     
    I was nervous that Donna was going to have us eat dinner together, but I underestimated how much Carl’s death has taken out of her. Once we’re all there, she goes upstairs to lie down. A nap sounds good to me, too, especially since the kink in my neck just won’t quit. Earlier, I noticed Grady watching me as I rubbed it and tried to stretch it out, and I was reminded of how he used to give me amazing back massages. But even thinking about that feels weird and wrong, so I push the thought aside and bustle around, unpacking and doing a bit of prep for the gathering after the funeral.
    The kids chatter with Grady in the living room. Normally this would be their weekend with him, anyway, so I’m more than happy to step aside and let them enjoy their time together. I’ve still got a lot of work cut out for me, and it’s easier for me to do it knowing the kids are having fun. I still need to go and see Renée - hopefully alone - so we can talk. My heart aches for my sister-in-law. I can’t imagine how she’ll ever recover from this devastation.
    When Grady asks the kids if they want to go get Chinese food, I’m so relieved. That saves us all a lot of awkwardness, because he knows I won’t eat it. I’m pretty sure he did that on purpose, but even if he didn’t we’re both spared the discomfort of making small talk over a meal, so I’m profoundly grateful.
    “Need us to pick anything up for you while we’re out?” he asks politely. I forgot what it was like to have a man around, willing to do things for me. It’s been too long, and it feels too good to be asked. I know if I said yes he would get me whatever I wanted, too. He was always good that way.
    But I demur with equal grace. “That’s so nice of you, but no. I brought some soup, and I have a bit of a headache, so I’m just going to take it easy here. You all have fun.”
    “Don’t worry about Ares,” Grady says. “He should be fine, but if he whines at the door, would you let him out back?”
    “Sure.” I’ve never been around Grady’s dog, but he’s almost more human than animal, keeping his expressive brown eyes glued to the two of us as if he’s part of the conversation, even though he can’t possibly understand what we’re saying.
    Caden gives me a quick squeeze and the three of them slip out.
    I make soup and break out my Kindle. With teenagers in the house, I have more and more moments of quiet, and I always try to take advantage of them by doing something for me. It doesn’t always work, but sitting here with my soup and my steamy romance in a silent house is therapeutic for my soul.
    The chemistry sizzles between the billionaire and his goddess, but by the time I’ve devoured the next three chapters of my book, my neck is screaming so badly I have to stop. Reading might be therapeutic for my soul, but keeping my head still isn’t doing my poor neck any favors. I should’ve stretched earlier, but since I didn’t, I decide to do it now.
    I change into my workout clothes, which is what I normally sleep in to motivate myself to exercise in the morning, and head back downstairs to the living room. With Ares keeping a close eye on me from the corner, I warm up and get myself into a relaxing headspace. For a few minutes I do some shoulder opening stretches, then some hip opening stretches. As the stress of the day ebbs away, the tightness in my muscles slowly unfurls. I feel the aching subside, and I’m comforted by the sounds of my own measured breaths.
    But of course it’s when I have myself in the very undignified