Adored: A Love Letters Novel by Kristen Blakely

Author:Kristen Blakely [Blakely, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Vera opened her eyes and blinked hard against the sudden disorientation. The woman in the mirror wore a lovely evening dress with a casual grace more suited to T-shirt and jeans, but the overall effect fit her and complemented the contentment in her eyes. She was a woman, powerful and unstoppable, because she felt loved and adored.

And standing behind her was the man who had helped her get there.

A smile flickered across Rowan’s lips. “You look beautiful.” The light from that smile, though, did not reach his eyes.

She had sensed his emotional distance the moment he stepped into her house. As much as it hurt her, she could not blame him. She understood, as she was certain he did, that they would not see each other again after this night.

Vera turned to face him. “I’m ready.”

He inclined his head, offered her his arm, and escorted her to his car.

The drive to the restaurant took Vera through familiar streets. She turned her head to look out the window as townhouses gave way to charming little bungalows. It was easier than staring at Rowan’s expressionless profile and knowing she had forced him into that position. Vera swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. She had spent all week trying to justify her decision. Rowan was an escort. Surely he had been hired to accompany women out to spite their husbands or ex-husbands. Rowan was an escort. Why would he date her for free when he could get paid to date other, more attractive women? Rowan was an escort. It could never have worked out between them anyway.

Vera ground her teeth. Rowan was an escort, and she was a goddamned snob.

“Rowan, I—”

He pulled his car into a parking lot, cut the engine, and turned to look at her.

The emotionally disconnected glaze in his eyes told her that he had already cut his losses and moved on.

She fought back the shudder. It was too late. Instead, she forced a smile. “I wanted to say thank you for coming with me.”

“You’re welcome. Shall we?” He stepped out of the car, opened the door for her, and escorted her into Blue Moon Fish Co.

The hostess led Vera and Rowan to a reserved table with a stunning view of the Intracoastal. Vera had been to the restaurant once before with Darren. In fact, they had gone through the motions of celebrating their thirteenth wedding anniversary—an unlucky one, as it turned out to be their last. That night, Vera had told Darren that she was pregnant. She had attributed his silence to surprise. Later she found out that his reaction was shock, heavily laced with resentment.

Vera would never have returned to a restaurant laden with so many unhappy memories, but Darren’s secretary had told her Darren had a dinner reservation there that evening. Apparently, he did not have the negative associations she did with that place. How much emotional baggage did she carry out of their marriage—baggage that he did not?

“Would you like wine or a cocktail?” Rowan asked, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

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