“Perhaps.”
“Girl,” Palmer smirked, “I knew then it was the beginning of the end.”
Melanie put a hand on her hip, waiting for Palmer to continue.
“The end of you and Rob and the beginning of you and Cam.”
“Well, both of those are still pending currently. I have to take care of one before the other. I’m not one to cheat, even if Rob does.”
The friends had talked the night before about the picture on Rob’s phone and theyperhapsstalked Janet more on social media. She seemed like a perfectly nice woman and if anything, Melanie hoped she could make Rob happier than she could. Melanie knew it was probably a weird thought to have, but she couldn’t change how she felt.
“That’s why you’re one of the good ones, Mel.” Palmer winked at her, picking up her thermos of coffee and holding it up. “I’dlove to keep chatting about your love life, but I’m gonna be late for work if I don’t head out now.”
“Go. Go. I’m sorry for keeping you. I should head home too and check on Hank and Lucy.”
“You know you’re welcome here anytime.” Palmer kissed her cheek before they headed out the front door together. “I love you. Keep me posted.”
“I will. Love you, too.”
Since she hadn’t planned on being out all night, Melanie was wearing the same clothes she’d had on the night before. Not that she was worried anyone would notice. As she pulled into the driveway, she sighed at the sight of Rob’s car in the garage. Melanie parked her car beside his before heading inside. Her pets instantly greeted her with wagging tails and she kissed each of them on the head.
“Hey, my babies. Mommy is sorry for staying out all night.”
Even though she knew Rob was home, she didn’t hear him anywhere. She was going to check his office but was surprised to find him sitting at the dining room table. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d ever sat there. Formal events weren’t held at their house and they ate most dinners on their couch.
But Melanie could instantly tell something was wrong. Rob had his head down with his hands clasped in front of him. As Melanie stepped into the dining room, Rob slowly looked up at her.
“We need to talk.”
The four words hit her like four perfectly aimed bullets. Melanie could barely catch her balance on the nearest chair before she felt her knees give out from under her. She sat slowly, still processing what Rob had said as he continued.
“Yeah, we should.”
“I think it’s safe to say that neither of us has been happy for a while. And I don’t think it’s fair to either of us to keep lying to ourselves that things will get better.”
Melanie wanted to say something—anything—to negate what he was saying, but there was nothing to say. Rob was right. Standing, Rob moved to a chair closer to her. He gently put his hand on her arm and squeezed.
“I love you, Melanie. So much. And it is because I love you that I think a divorce is what’s best for us. This way, we can still be friends. I mean,” he nervously laughed, “that’s basically all we’ve been the last few years anyway, right?”
Melanie hated the way he made her laugh, even when she didn’t want to. She shook her head a few times as several tears dripped down her face onto the wooden table.
“I’m so sorry for springing this on you.”
“It’s not that,” Melanie shook her head. “I’ve been wanting to bring up the topic of divorce to you, too, but I didn’t know how. I’m so sorry, Rob.” She slowly looked up at him to finally look into his sad blue eyes. “I know things haven’t been great between us the last few years.”
“And that’s my fault.” Rob inhaled sharply. “I’ve been keeping something from you, and I know that’s added to the downfall of our marriage.”
Taking in a deep breath, Rob said the words she knew were coming, but she still wasn’t prepared to hear.
“I met someone. Her name is Janet, and we met at the country club last summer. We hit it off and I don’t know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “One thing led to another, and I thought it was just a one-time thing, but it’s not. I… I love her, Melanie. And I want to be with her. Like fully with her. Not hiding and hoping no one sees me with her.”
Melanie felt sick to her stomach. Even though she had her thoughts that Rob was cheating on her, hearing the confirmation was more than she had been prepared for.
“I am so sorry, Melanie. I never meant to hurt you. I promise you that. Please believe me.”
“I do.” And Melanie did. She didn’t know why, but she did.
“And I promise I’m going to make this divorce as easy on you as I can. We can split everything and you can have the house. I’ll sign it all over to you. I want to do that. Please.”
