The Ex-Wife by Candice Dow Read Free Book Online Page A

sleep.”
    “Thank you.”
    “OK, Ayana. You can be such a jerk sometimes.”
    “Never that.”
    I headed to the grocery store to grab a roasted chicken for dinner. I rolled a cart into the store in something of a daze,
     simultaneously looking at messages on my phone. As I tried to prioritize whom I’d call back, I dropped a bag of grapes into
     the cart. My bottom lip nearly fell into the cart too when I noticed Cam staring back at me. Considering I was exhausted,
     momentarily I assumed I was hallucinating. Why was I imagining his smile? I rubbed my eyes to rid my mind of his image. Then
     I looked again. It was a real estate ad and it really was Cam. I was less than two miles away from my apartment and I frequented
     this grocery store. Never had I seen this ad.
    As I strolled through the store with Cam’s eyes staring into mine, I imagined what could have happened if he hadn’t been married.
     With the type of attraction we shared, I was certain we would’ve been taking long strolls in the park, going out to dinner,
     making love any- and everywhere. He was probably the type that sent emotional text messages. Simultaneously, I snapped at
     myself. What if isn’t what is. Don’t fantasize when the facts are staring you in your face.
    I was conflicted in my spirit. I was trained to analyze a person’s character after speaking to him a few times. Cam had given
     me no reason to believe he was a shady person. Everything about him seemed sincere. So why did I feel this empty feeling in
     my stomach? Why did I feel as if I’d been betrayed? Maybe I was just disappointed in myself.
    By the time I reached the register, I had explored every possibility with Cam. He seemed little-boy sweet and as much as I
     knew it was never going to be, I wanted to know more about him. He seemed like an interesting and honest person. After interviewing
     one hundred men, I was convinced there weren’t many Cams. But damn, why did his ex-wife have to be a crazy lady? Oh well,
     shit happens, and by the looks of things other shit doesn’t happen.
    When I reached my house, Aaliyah called back. There was no crying, yelling, or giggling in the background. I said, “Now that’s
     better.”
    She laughed. “Leave my babies alone. It only sounds like that when we’re in the bathroom.”
    “Geesh. You need to put them to sleep sooner.”
    “Why?”
    “So you’ll have time to talk to your big sister.”
    We laughed because Aaliyah was always the available one if you didn’t mind the background noise.
    She said, “Whatever, Sister.”
    “OK, so anyway, I told you how I slipped and fell on my Realtor’s thing the other night. Right?”
    “Yeah, freaky-freaky.”
    “Stop, you know he must have been extremely nice if I did that.”
    “Yeah, OK, you told me all of that after you did it. And then his wife called and we concluded that you kick his nice ass
     to the curb. Correct?”
    When I didn’t respond, she continued, “Ayana. You know better. We talk about chicks like you. Whether they are separated or
     not, they are still married. When he’s done, go for it.” She laughed. “I would say there are other fish in the sea, but I
     guess we all know that’s not true.”
    We laughed really hard.
    “So did he keep it professional when you saw him tonight?”
    “Yeah, he did.”
    “Cool. Maybe he is a good guy.”
    “Duh, that’s why I’m calling you. I feel like he’s a really good guy and a part of me wonders if I should continue to talk
     to him until the divorce is done.”
    “What if it’s never done? Would you be a mistress?”
    “That’s not what I want, but I do like this guy. He has a wonderful spirit.”
    “They all do in the first week.”
    I laughed. “True. You’re not lying about that.”
    “If anyone trusts your opinion you know I do. So let’s be honest, no one, not even Ayana Blue, can trust her own advice once
     the aura of romance is in the air.”
    “Ha ha. Really funny. That’s my favorite