Chapter 3

Madeline:

The next morning, after John went to start the coffee, I sat on the edge of the bed and steeled my nerves. I had told him I needed a few minutes to get a surprise ready for him. The look on John’s face suggested he had a good idea what it was. He had been right about part of it, the part he would love, but he couldn’t possibly know about all the surprises coming his way.

I tapped my thumb on the phone, and the display read, Dialing Georgina ... I fidgeted, waiting for the voice I needed to hear. A woman’s voice came through the speaker, “Hi, baby. How are you?”

For the first time in days, a genuine smile spread across my face. “Mm, I’m good. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“I hate it when you stay there. I miss you so much,” Georgina said.

My hand slipped between my legs. “Mm, me too, but don’t worry, you’ll have me all to yourself once this is over.”

“I know, you keep telling me that, but why has it gone on so long?” Georgina asked. “Have you changed your mind about him?”

“No, it just took more time than I could have imagined,” I said. “I’ve got this. I’m doing it for us. I have to.”

“No, you don’t have to,” Georgina said. “Baby, we have each other. That’s enough for me.”

“It’s almost over, and it’ll be worth it, I swear, it’ll be worth it,” I said. “I got a surprise for you.”

“Ooh, what, what is it?”

“It’s too big to tell you over the phone. I’ll tell you later. I need to see the look on your face.”

“Okay, if you say so,” Georgina said.

“I better go. I love you more than anything. I’ll be home as soon as I’m done here.”

“Love you, too,” Georgina said. “Be careful, please.”

“I will.”