Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (book series to read .TXT) 📗

“I’m Abby. And you?”

“Taylor.” She said. She looked like a Taylor. She was tall, with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pretty face. She made me wish I was young again.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Taylor. You’ve been a pleasant face here in Georgia. And I’m here for a few more weeks, so you’ll definitely be seeing more of me.”

More customers lingered in and she got pretty busy, with a few other waitresses helping her tend to guests at tables. We’d talk in between her mixing drinks and taking orders. A few minutes later, she placed my sandwich in front of me and topped off my water before sauntering to the other end of the bar. Two bites in, a dark shadow behind me caught my eye, and then I noticed Damien sit down beside me.

I looked at him, swallowing my bite before I spoke. “Okay, you’re stalking me.”

He laughed. “Am not. We are staying in the same hotel, you know? It’s convenient to eat here. Beats going out in all that traffic.”

“You have a point.”

“Not drinking tonight?” he asked, his eyes roaming to my water.

“I figured I better not.” I said.

Taylor came over and placed a napkin in front of Damien. “What can I get you?” she asked.

“Water with a lemon and a lime please,” he said. “And a menu.”

“Lemon and lime? In water?” I asked.

“It’s good.” He said.

“Whatever you say.”

She placed his drink in front of him and he ordered a steak. She was busy, leaving me there with Damien alone. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it, but I knew I enjoyed his company.

“So training is hardcore.” He said.

“Yes, yes, it is. I’m ready for it to be over.”

“Tired of me already?” he asked.

“No. I actually like you,” I smiled. “I just don’t like sitting in class all day, and listening, and power-points, and everything else. I’m ready to be back in the office, doing the job.”

“I feel you, just had to give you a hard time. So, you like me, huh? I knew I’d grow on you.” He grinned.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I said, flashing a cocky smile. I really wasn’t trying to be flirty, but I’m sure it came across that way. The only man that had my attention was Gage. Unfortunately, I didn’t have high hopes for us. Something in my gut was telling me things were about to change. That thought brought me a feeling I couldn’t bear. Being here with Damien and Taylor helped keep my mind in a positive space.

His dinner arrived quickly and we ate together, talking about work and other random things. Diving into the subject of my marriage probably wasn’t a good idea, but it fell out and I didn’t stop it.

“So, my husband is going out of town tomorrow for a case. It’s for a family friend. He says he doesn’t know how long it’s going to last, but the money is going to be good and that’s why he’s going.”

“Oh. Hm. How do you feel about that?”

“I don’t care, really. I mean whatever. Him and I are done, we just need to come to terms with everything, start the divorce process, and get it done. We haven’t even talked about it, but we both know it’s coming.”

“Been there,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s fine. It is what it is. I’ve just been thinking, since he’s not even going to be home this weekend and I don’t have to go there and play housewife, what’s the point of even going? All the back and forth for nothing. Might as well just stay here.”

“I get that. Makes sense.”

I shrugged a shoulder and took a sip from my water.

“I could stay too. We could explore Atlanta.” He suggested.

Unsure of how to respond, I looked at him questionably.

“As friends,” he said. “I know you’re married, and even if you are getting ready to divorce, I would never get in between that.”

That was more than I could say about myself. He really was a good guy.

“Okay. Friends only. That sounds good.” I agreed. “You sure you don’t have anything you need to get home and do?”

“Nope.”

“Okay. Cool. I’m excited!”

“Me too,” he said, standing from his chair. “I’m going to go back to my room and get some stuff done, then get ready for bed early. I’m wiped.”

“I know the feeling. I’ll be right behind you. See you in the morning.”

“Night, Abby.”

Taylor was back, clearing the plates in front of me. “Not that I was eavesdropping or anything, but did I just hear you two make a date?” she smiled.

“Well, how much did you hear?” I asked.

“I just heard about exploring Atlanta this weekend.”

“Yeah. We’re going to. The company pays for us to fly home every Friday, but we’re going to stay and hang out here.”

“Do you like him?” she asked.

I sighed before responding, but I wanted her to know. She needed to know why I gave her the warning about her boyfriend the night before. “Here’s the thing,” I started. “I’m married, but it’s an awful marriage. Not a happy union. At all. My husband has been cheating on me for well over a year. I only found out a year ago, but I’m pretty sure it’s gone on longer than that.”

Her eyes grew wide and she gasped. “I’m so sorry.”

I left out the part where I did the same to him and fell in love. That was a whole other cluster.

“We’re on the brink of divorce. We haven’t talked about it, but we both know it’s coming. He doesn’t know that I know…I’m really not even sure how I’m going to go about all that yet. But that’s why I was telling you to