His jaw tightened.
“You never said I couldn’t ask.”
“And I never said I had to answer.”
“That’s none of your business.”
My phone rang.
I answered.
“Hi,” I said calmly. “I’m ready. Please come to the front door. I can’t wait to see you.”
Sean followed me downstairs.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” Sean shouted. “Your lover?”
He reached the door first and yanked it open.
“I can’t wait to see you.”
Then he stopped.
James stood on the porch.
Sean’s face went gray.
“James?”
“Hey.”
Sean gripped the doorframe.
Sean’s face went gray.
“No.”
I picked up my purse.
“No what?”
“You’re not going, Taylor! That’s final!”
“I am.”
“Not with him.”
“No what?”
“You said I could date whoever I wanted.”
“I didn’t mean James!”
“You never said that.”
“I shouldn’t have to! He’s my brother, Taylor.”
I stared at him.
“I didn’t mean James!”
“There were a lot of things in our marriage I thought I shouldn’t have to explain either.”
James stepped back.
“Taylor, if you want me to leave…”
“No.”
Both brothers looked at me.
Sean’s voice cracked.
“No.”
“You’re choosing him over me?”
“I’m choosing dinner.”
“How could you do this to me?” he whispered. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“You’ll be fine, Sean. The boys are hungry.”
I walked past him.
“What am I supposed to do now?”
***
Dinner with James wasn’t magical, thank God.
There was no secret confession or dramatic declaration.
We ate and talked.
At one point, I admitted, “I thought this would feel more satisfying.”
James raised an eyebrow.
“It doesn’t?”
We ate and talked.
“A little. But it’s smaller than I thought.”
He nodded.
“Revenge usually does.”
“I didn’t say this was revenge.”
“You didn’t have to.”
I laughed.
“Revenge usually does.”
Later, his expression became serious.
“Don’t turn me into a weapon, Taylor. I like being with you, but you’re still my sister-in-law.”
“I’m trying not to.”
“You don’t owe me another date.”
I smiled.
“Was that your subtle way of asking for one?”
“I’m trying not to.”
“I’ve been divorced. Subtle didn’t work out great for me.”
I laughed again.
But driving home, I understood something.
Sean’s jealousy wasn’t enough.
Hurting him wouldn’t repair what he’d broken.
“I’ve been divorced.”
***
Sean was waiting in the dark living room.
“Did you kiss him?”
“No.”
His shoulders dropped.
“But that’s not the point.”
“Of course it is.”
