“No way. It’ll take too long. She’ll be there soon.”
Before I could protest, or even say goodbye, Amy ended the call.
Realizing I’d have to resurface eventually, I dabbed my burning eyes with cold water and returned to our table.
“I ordered us a bottle of red,” Marc said, already through half a glass. “I hope you like Pinot Noir.”
“I’m sorry, Marc.” I straightened my back to assume confidence. “I don’t think this is going to work out.”
His mouth slackened. “But I thought we were on the same page.”
“I thought so, too…but we’re in completely different books.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Tonight was the first night I’ve removed my ring since my husband passed away four years ago.”
His face paled. “Oh, I…I didn’t know.”
“And I’m sorry about that, but you have a wife and kids at home waiting for you. Do you know how much of a gift that is? I would giveanythingto have that again, and you’re treating it like it’s nothing. You, of all people, should know how fleeting life can be.”
Marc rubbed his jaw as he leaned back. “It’s really not a big deal. My needs go beyond my wife’s desires.”
“If you love each other, it should be enough.”
His brown eyes met mine. “Then maybe we don’t.”
As he downed the rest of his wine, I sensed his inner conflict. He loved his wife but needed more—a feeling I was familiar with. Dominic was a great husband and an amazing father, but I always felt like something was missing with us. He was my best friend, but the passion I thought only existed in books just wasn’t there. However, Ineverwould’ve risked my family to find it with someone else.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Marc. I really am.”
He turned his gaze out the window but said nothing.
“I’ve arranged for someone to pick me up, so I’m going to wait outside.”
Marc nodded, but his thoughts were distant. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“All I’m looking for at the moment is independence. I don’t even know why I agreed to this date.”
He looked up at me with a spark of hope. “It’s okay to have a little fun from time to time.”
“Yeah, but not with another woman’s husband. I’m on this earth to relieve pain, not cause it.”
“You’re a pretty special woman, Cassidy.” Marc poured another glass. “Adam is lucky to have you.”
“You mean Liam…”
Marc made no attempt at hiding his smirk as he sipped his wine. “That’s what I said, didn’t I?”
My eyebrows drew together as I second-guessed my hearing. “Well, I’ll see you next week.”
“You will.”
As he perused the menu, I made my way out of the restaurant and into the parking lot, hoping Josie was on her way. The breeze off the ocean was a refreshing contrast to the blazing heat inside, so I wandered over to the sand.
The waves glittering under the moonlight beckoned me. So, with the aid of a lamp post, I unbuckled my heels, slipped them into my discarded handbag, and approached the shoreline.
The freezing water rushed through my toes, relieving them of the pain caused by my ill-fitting heels. I hated wearing shoes, regardless of the style. I loved the feeling of the earth under my feet and its energy vibrating though my body, and tonight I needed grounding more than ever.