Patrick cleared his throat, interrupting her reverie. “Coming to bed?”
“No. I think I’m gonna read for a while.”
Patrick sat down opposite Addie and thought for a moment before speaking. “Does this, us being here, seem strange to you?
Addie hesitated. “Yeah. A little.”
“Because at times it just seems so normal to me, and then I remember we’re getting a divorce. We should probably talk about that, don’t you think?”
“Probably.” Addie admitted then smiled a little.
“What happened between us? How’d we end up here?”
Addie sighed. “I don’t know exactly, but I’d like to think that we’re equally to blame. I guess we just grew apart. I can’t exactly pinpoint when it happened, but we started living separate lives, you know?”
Patrick reached for her hand. “Do you really want this, Addison? Do you really believe there isn’t a chance at all that we could make it work?”
“I think . . . I mean . . . Yes, I do. What we had has been amazing in a lot of respects. Just look at the three beautiful children we had together. They’re so smart and so much like each of us in their own ways. But they are their own people, you know? That’s kind of how I think of us. We were more alike once, but we’ve changed. We grew up, and became less willing to compromise what it is we want.”
Patrick recoiled. “What happened with William Hartman, Addie? I need to know the details.”
“I made a mistake. I slept with him. And then when you left for China, I was so angry, Patrick. So I just kind of gave into it. I fell in love with him. I never wanted to hurt you. We had just become so distant, and I made a lot of really poor choices. I know that doesn’t excuse any of them, but I just want you know that I am sorry. I’m really, really sorry that I didn’t handle the dissolution of our marriage better. But I hope you know it wasn’t my affair, or even yours, I’m sure, that caused it.”
Patrick stood and walked to the kitchen and poured himself a drink. “You want one?”
“No.”
“I was really hoping after the past few days that there might be a chance for us, you know.”
“I’m sorry, Patrick. I just can’t do it anymore.”
Patrick took his seat again opposite Addie. “Are you going to keep seeing him?”
Addie bit back tears. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“There’s something I need to tell you, Addison.” Patrick said, his tone giving nothing away.
“Okay.” Addie winced.
“Michele is pregnant.”
“Oh.”
“It’s mine.”
Addie shook her head. “Yeah, I think I got that.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Patrick replied, downing his drink.
“What do you think you should do?” Addie asked, patiently.
“She trapped me. That’s what I think.”
Addie laughed. “She didn’t trap you, Patrick. You trapped yourself.”
“Whatever.” Patrick exhaled.
“Do you love her?”