Monica’s brows rose. “What do you mean?”
“When I think about it, I’m always here. When I’m home, Xavier’s away. Our love is passionate, fierce, and completely combustible when we finally get together.”
Monica shivered. “Damn, it must be nice. I’ll tell you one thing. If I had a man like that, I damn sure wouldn’t be at work for months on end. He would be sick of me, do you understand?”
Corinne laughed and swept her hair to one side of her shoulder. “No, you’re right.”
“So, what’s the real reason you stay so busy?”
Corinne took a sip of her wine and sighed. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I don’t want him to be sick of me. They say time away makes the heart grow fonder. I would hate to see what would happen if….”
Monica cocked her head to the side and peered at Corinne. “If what?”
Corinne exhaled a long breath. “If he got tired of me. If I became old news. If our intimacy and love weren’t as passionate as it is now.” She shook her head. “Frightening.”
“Somehow, I don’t think it will.”
“How can you say that? It’s a proven fact that most humans love new shiny things. I haven’t encountered one relationship or marriage where the couple has been together for decades, and their fire still burns for one another.”
“You know, I don’t know your in-laws well, but I’m going to have to call your bluff on that one.”
A soft smile spread across Corinne’s face. “Bridgette and Leslie Valentine are an anomaly. Let’s be honest here.”
“And yet, they aren’t.”
Corinne turned to glance at Monica with an arched brow.
“Look, I get what you’re saying, but they are the example you’re looking for, right in your face. Sure, a lot of people are the opposite. Some are just downright no good for themselves, nevermind someone else.”
“Then you understand—”
“But, Xavier comes from the fruitful example. The good and wholesome example. I understand your hesitancy, and it’s like once you get that good man, you want to rejoice and say it happened for you. But then you get married and find something else to worry about.” Monica shook her head. “Don’t exhaust yourself. You’ll mess around and push him away if he thinks you’d rather be working than be with him.”
A chill ran through Corinne. That would surely shatter her world, so much so that she didn’t want to sit with those thoughts any longer than she had to. She put her glass to her lips and drank the rest of her wine.
“Damn. You’re right.”
“Girl, I know I’m right. I’m still single because I’m unwilling to settle for any bozos out here. Once upon a time, I thought Xavier was one of them, but I soon found he was Mr. Right. So, I’m keeping my options open and giving people a chance as long as they prove their trustworthiness.”
Corinne turned around to face Monica. “You should. And I’m glad you have that mindset. I better get an invitation to the wedding.”
Melodic laughter floated into the air.
“Girl, you’ll be my maid of honor at this rate.”
Corinne’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “I’m sure your best friend would knock you over if she knew you’d said that.”
“Newsflash! I don’t have a best friend. I’m a lonely girl in every sense of the word. That’s why I’ve been trying to adopt you as my best friend. But I know we’ve still got a ways to go.”
Corinne stared at Monica.
“What?”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Why is that so shocking?”
“All this time we’ve known each other, and you’ve never expressed this.”