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less he works, the more time he spends at home with me.”
    He sighed. “I don’t know. It’s tempting, but the problem of Monnique remains. I can ’t just make her leave her family.”
    “Talk to her about it. She loves you and wouldn’t want you to miss an opportunity like this. I know she wouldn’t.”
    “Her mom passed away not that long ago…”
    “I know. I don’t mean to be insensitive.”
    “I think it would be too hard for her to be away from her family.”
    “You can take a lot of vacation, Cortland. Two weeks for Christmas, two weeks for summer, two weeks for Easter. You could take a lot of time off and work from your computer. Whatever you want, we’ll make it work.”
    “You really want this, huh?”
    “I really want to do this for Sean because he’s my husband. But I also really want to keep the family that we have. I can’t think of any other solution but this one. Ryan can open up another shop in New York and you can work with us. It works out for everyone.”
    “Monnique will want to work.”
    “Well, nursing is in demand everywhere. She’ll find something. Besides, you’ll be making more money than your current salaries combined. She won’t even need to work.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Tell her that. She’s too independent not to contribute to the relationship.”
    “Good. That’s how women should be.”
    “As long as she stops working night shift I don’t care.”
    “Cortland, she can take care of herself.”
    “I’m not having this conversation with you. Women just don’t get it.”
    “I’m not like other women, Cortland.”
    He sighed. “It sucks having a girlfriend that’s so hot because everyone wants her. I feel like I have to constantly battle for her. Guys don’t seem to care that she has a boyfriend that she lives with.”
    “You know what do to fix it?”
    “What?”
    “Put a ring on it.”
    He smiled. “I would love to, Scar. You have no idea.”
    “Do it. Propose to her the day after my wedding.”
    “I think Ryan is going to ask. I don’t want to infringe.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Who cares? Just do it, Cortland. I don’t think it will entirely solve your problem, but it’ll help.”
    “I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
    “Then make the plunge.”
    “I can’t see the bottom.”
    “Don’t worry. It’s there.”
    “Thanks, Scar.”
    “So, you’ll talk to her?”
    “Yeah. I’ll see what she thinks. I really don’t know how she’ll react.”
    “It doesn’t hurt to ask.”
    He nodded. “And if she says no?”
    I sighed. “Then it looks like Sean will have to work somewhere else.”
    “You can’t revolve your life around Ryan.”
    “I know. Now that he has Janice I feel more comfortable leaving hi m, doing this for Sean, but Sean is the one who won’t allow it.”
    “You’re both putting each other first. That’s what marriage is all about.”
    “Yeah, but it’s annoying when it’s at a stalemate.”
    “That’s amazing. He’s willing to give up his billion dollar company for you, and you are willing to give up Ryan. That speaks volumes.”
    “I just hope we can both get what we want.”
    Cortland sighed. “I feel the pressure.”
    “You better launch your best moves.”
    “I know what my big booty ho likes.”
    “Good. Because I’m depending on it.”

5
    Scarlet
    When we walked back into our room, Sean sat on the bed and stared at the ground, like he was deep in thought or about to hurl.
    “The chicken was undercooked,” I said.
    Sean didn’t say anything, resting his elbows on his knees and holding his hands together.
    “Sean, what’s wrong?”
    “I’m waiting for it.”
    “Waiting for what?”
    “For you to leave me.”
    My eyes softened when I heard his voice. It was weak and faint, like he didn’t want to say the words aloud. I came beside him on the bed and rubbed his back. “Why?”
    “What do you mean why ? The baggage of my life never seems to go away. It keeps coming back and it keeps