fraid I'll expect

ur age, that's the logical next ste

eday,

ason kno

Neither of us had the best examples growing up. I think he's always been

f my bun and tucked it behind my ear. It was a quick, gentle touch but

nd myself wishing that he would touch

ir. Instead, I picked up my

" I told hi

as beautiful...

But don't let him make all the decisions here, Vicki. Remember your self-worth. If you're not truly happy with him, then spend your 'break' deciding what it is that you want from

ses of wine had already gone to my head. "I will. Thank you. Is

asked it but Alexander didn't seem of

don't want to fight over material possessions, yet I don't want to give this woman I was married t

roud of where I am at this stage in my life. I have always intended to do so much more. I want to give back to the community, you know? I don't want to live in this beautiful place surrounded by beautiful landscapes and only enjoy it. I

at I do know about you, you're much too intelligent to be doing physical labor your entire life. I would

an's Assistant program at UC Davis. I just to

istant, huh? Tha

nt when I was a kid." I laughed at the memory of birds with broken wings and stray cats that ha

instead. Gotta love my mom. "So

is really expe

ram I'll have to keep working to support myself. I can't se

ne of the many things that Cassandra a

ne or two of those fights as I kept my

at the very least having our children and caring for them. As it turned out, she had no interest in any of that at all. She informed me

talking to. Not thinking I shot my

alking to me about this so much. I know how busy you are and for you to take time out of

han you and I'm slumming by sitting here having a pleasant conversation with you. The things I just told you about Cassie... they're not things I shared with any

heart was speeding up and I was su

t any of it, sir. I won't

p calling me sir,

ou, Vicki. Where

Glendale." "I grew up here to

of his background, but it was obvi

ver seen him be haughty or arroga

me in Orange when I w

d spend time on the playground near the pier at Seal

Yes," I said

ved Ru

my favorite spo

corner and play music on that little table jukebo

t booth too! It was always taken. I thin

ly me," he sai

imagine our lives intersecting like that as kids and us no

n there. He was probably already in college. Still, it was n

ff of Jason and I wa

"You're welcome... fo

happy on the beach. It was so nice of you to take tim

husky as he said, "I wish that you'd stop calling me sir. I want to kiss yo

. I told myself to politely decline. I told myself to g