Felicia.On the ride back home, my thoughts are so jumbled. I overheard what Collins said to one of the guys at the cookout.I already knew how he felt about kids. One night after we got the backyard fixed up we were sitting out on the deck. We somehow got around to discussing children. Collins shuddered and said he wouldn't know what to do with a kid. He felt he was too immature to raise a child. He didn't think he'd be a good father. He was vehement.So, why did his remarks bother me today? It's not like we're really married. Well, we are, but it's temporary. This marriage will all be over in one year, and then we'll get a divorce.The sex has been so great. I've been sticking to our deal and just enjoying the pleasure we can give each other. In the back of my mind, though, I've allowed myself to believe that this could become a real marriage. How foolish. How naive.I sternly remind myself: this has an expiration date. In one year, it will be over.What guy wouldn't be fine with gr
Collins.I frown as I drive to the office. Something is off with Felicia, and I don't know what it is.She's been acting differently for the last week. I think it started around the time of the cookout. Did someone say something to her that upset her?When I try to ask her what's wrong, she just shrugs and says nothing.Bullshit. Something is wrong. Why won't she confide in me? She always has before.Unless— unless I'm the problem? I mean, she really couldn't turn me down when I offered to marry her. She would have been crazy to turn down a cool five million and the stock shares. Let's not forget about the fucking stock shares. Suddenly, I'm feeling frustrated.Things were going so great. I mean, the sex is off the charts. But lately, when I take her, she's been closing her eyes. Does that mean anything?Hell, if I know. I slam my hand against the steering wheel. Who knows what's on a woman's mind? I sure as shit don't. Women!Then, I stop short. This is Felicia. And well, she's diffe
Felicia.It's been over a week, and Collins hasn't acted any differently toward me. Maybe I overreacted. Everything else has been going well.At work, we're still ahead of schedule on the new software. And my uncle appears to be leaving us alone. The closer we get to completing all the testing, the more the excitement in the department builds.There's also a higher level of stress the closer we get to the go-live date in case anything goes wrong. It's like this every time we launch a new software, but it's still hard to get used to.This Friday night, Collins and I will be attending a charity event downtown. I vaguely remember my parents used to attend some of the bigger galas around town.My mother-in-law and Ellen both volunteered to go shopping with me. So, I meet the women here at the Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille and then Bonnie said we could walk to the different shops.When the women walk through the door, I wave them over."Were you able to find a parking spot, okay?""I lef
Felicia.It's the night of the Charity event, and I left work early. The hairstylist swept my hair up but left a few strands to curl and frame my face.I let them do my makeup as well, and my eyelids have a line of iridescent makeup that sparkles above my cat eyeliner. The song from West Side Story keeps playing over and over in my mind. 'I feel pretty, oh, so pretty...'I just hope tonight ends better than that musical.I'm dressed and waiting for Collins. He's running late tonight. There was an accident, and he's stuck in traffic. He said if he's too late, he'll send a car, but I'd rather wait for Collins to go with me."Felicia, I'm home. I'm sorry I'm so late—" Collins stops mid-sentence when he sees me in my dress."So, you like my dress?""Hot damn, do I like your dress? No, I freaking love it. You look gorgeous.""Thanks. I have your tux all set-out.""Shit, yeah, I better hurry."He takes a quick shower, and then I'm helping him with his dress shirt. His bow tie."Damn, you lo
Collins.I walk over to our table and turn to Hunter and Rebel."We'll be going now. We enjoyed the event and learning about the sponsored charities. Hunter, Felicia and I will be contacting you later about working something out with MAP. Hayford and Donovan Security would like to get more involved.""That's great. Thank you, Collins."Felicia gives Rebel a hug. "I enjoyed meeting you.""As did I. I'm sure we'll see you at other events around town."Felicia turns toward me. "I'm a little confused. Don't we have another half hour before our driver gets here?""Our driver won't be picking us up tonight."I walk us to the front desk."We'd like a room for the night.""Certainly, is a king-size bed acceptable?""Yes, that's fine.""Any bags we can take up for you?""No, thank you."I sign for the room, and I'm given a key card."Room 302. Third floor."We get in the elevator, and I turn and look at Felicia with hungry eyes, but I don't touch her. If I do, we'll be having sex right here in
Felicia.I open my eyes and blink sleepily as I notice the soft sunlight as it filters into the room.I keep yawning, and I still feel sleepy because I didn't get much sleep last night. Collins was a wild man, an insatiable lover.I go to move, and my muscles twinge, muscles that I haven't used before. But then, I've never been taken so thoroughly and in so many ways. I shiver as I remember how demanding Collins was.I turn and look at the still-slumbering man in bed behind me. We're both lying naked on the bed. I look around for the covers and finally find them on the floor, with our clothes and most of the pillows.As my eyes dart around the room, I blush to the roots of my hair as I notice the chair askew and the table a few feet to the side of where it used to be.Collins meant what he said, and I have the sore muscles to prove it. Will I even be able to walk?As I turn to slide out of bed, I look around for something to wear. I spot my dress on the floor between the door and the
Collins.When your phone rings in the middle of the night, it's hardly ever good news. I wake up and grab my cell phone."Carson?""Collins, we have an emergency. A guard has been shot. He was working a job on the Southbank. There was gunfire. Guy Sanders was taken to the hospital.""Damn. Okay. I'm on my way. Do you know how badly he's injured?""I don't know any more details. I'll meet you there. He's at Baptist."Also, now awakened and hearing half the conversation, Felicia asks, "Collins? Is something wrong?""There was some gunfire at a job. One of our guards has been taken to Baptist Hospital. He was shot. Carson is going to meet me there.""I'll come with you.""You don't have to, Felicia. You can go back to sleep.""No, Collins. I'm coming with you.""Okay, thanks, Felicia."I throw on some jeans and a blue hoodie and shove my feet into a pair of boots.I look around to see if Felicia is ready. She comes out of the bathroom, brushing her hair and then she pulls it into a ponyt
Felicia.The last week has been hectic for Collins. He's having to spend more time at the Donovan Security offices. He left the house before I even got out of bed this morning. Hopefully, we'll be able to see each other tonight as long as I don't get stuck here at the office.I've been working overtime as the deadline for our software release gets closer and closer. We are still ahead of schedule but only slightly. This is a crucial time because if anything major were to go wrong, it could throw us off schedule and delay the release.My team and I have been meeting daily. Going over everything at least twice. Making sure we haven't missed anything.Emotions are high, and right now, Dave is causing a problem."I don't see why I need to give up my office.""Because we need the room. We're trying to finalize the marketing plans and our backers.""I understand why it's needed. I just don't understand why I have to be the one giving up my office.""Ellen, would you mind stepping in here, p
Felicia.We both stand and see two police officers exit the doors as we approach. We follow the nurse to a room.We see Collins sitting up in the bed; his arm has a big patch of gauze, and his shirt is bloodied, but he's alive.He looks up and smiles at both Carson and me."So, you got shot, little brother. I'm glad you're okay. You scared the hell out of us.""You just missed the police. They already have the men in custody.""Good. How are you feeling?""I'm fine. And so is Dale. He did well for a recruit.""Good. Felicia said you were wearing one of the new vests.""I was. But, I went by the office and grabbed one of the older ones before I went downtown."Carson gives me a searching look then looks over at Felicia, "Well, I'll leave you two alone. I'll go check on Dale."Collins looks over at me and then opens his arms. I walk over to him and wrap my arms around him being careful to avoid his injured arm, but I forget about his back."Ouch.""Oh, Collins, I'm sorry.""Don't worry
Felicia.My cell phone rings, "Hello?""Felicia, it's Carson. There was some trouble downtown. Collins and a guard have been taken to the hospital. I don't know the extent of their injuries.""Oh, my God," my head swims with the news. I weakly sit down."Are you home?""Yes.""Look, I'm headed to the hospital; why don't I stop by and pick you up?""Okay, thanks, Carson."I look down at my hot pink lingerie, I had planned on opening the door to Collins wearing it. I go into the bedroom and throw on the first clothes I touch—a pair of jeans and a black shirt. I slip on some shoes and hear a car pull up in the drive. I pick up my purse and rush out the door.As I approach Carson's car, my eyes land on my Can-Am Spyder. I see the word 'Bella' airbrushed on the side of my motorcycle. I give a small smile, then turn and hurry to the car where Carson is waiting.Once I'm in the car and Carson is driving to the hospital, before I can ask, he looks over at me grimly, "I wish I could tell you m
Collins."Good," I say with relief."You're not? Then who is?"Ellen and Dave both ask at one time.Felicia gives a proud smile, "I recommended to the board that it be a shared responsibility. Two Co-CEOs. While most companies only have one CEO, some are having great success with Co-CEO positions. I think a good balance of work and family is important.""That's a great idea. So, who will be Co-CEO with you?" Asks Ellen."Who do you think they'll pick?" Dave asks Felicia."I don't know who the board will select. Even though I have a controlling interest, I feel the board should make most of these types of decisions. However—"Felicia stops and looks at Ellen, "I made a recommendation. I recommended Ellen Stone and Beth Smith from gaming for joint leadership."Ellen looks stunned, and then her eyes begin to light up at the thought, "Thanks, Felicia. I love the idea of joint leadership. Beth knows the gaming side very well. We've worked on other projects together. She and I get along gre
Felicia.I give Collins a nod. Then I turn toward Ellen and Dave, "All of us will be attending the meeting," I inform them firmly."We will?" Ellen and Dave both look at me wide-eyed.I then hand them each a small stack of papers, "Yes, Ellen, you helped prepare these for me. If you and Dave could pass them out to the board members while I review the numbers, it would be helpful. Then, we will all be available to answer any questions that might be asked. Okay?"They both nod. I turn back to Collins and take his hand. Then, with a spring in my step, we walk out of the copier room and cross over to the boardroom.When I open the conference room door, I give everyone a wide, friendly smile. The Chair and Vice Chair of the Board catch my eye, and they nod solemnly to me as I enter. I nod back."Good morning," I walk toward the head of the conference room and gesture for Collins to take my normal seat. I remain standing between Collins and my uncle, who's at the head of the table. I notice
Collins.When I arrive home later that night, the house is dark. Felicia would always leave a light on in the house, so I know she's not in the apartment before I even open the door. I grimace as I flip on the light switch. I look around and everything looks exactly like it did when I left. Except Felicia isn't here. The empty apartment seems to mock me.I can't believe how the night ended. How arrogant I was to believe that she wanted something more than friendship. I pull out my cell phone and look down at the red beating heart that made me think she might feel the same way about me as I feel about her.I go to delete the heart, but at the last minute, I don't. I can't. It's the last text I may ever get from Felicia. I'm not only losing my wife, I'm losing my best friend. She gets me. She always has.I could tell earlier tonight that she felt bad. She probably didn't know how to tell me how she's been feeling. She wants to move on with finding someone she can love. And it's not me.
Felicia.When Serena and I walk out of Donovan Security a little after one o'clock, we both feel satisfied with the contract.Serena looks over at me, "I think everything went very well. That was one of the smoothest negotiations I've dealt with. Both you and Carson were flexible and fair. I think both sides basically got what they wanted, leaving Hayford Software in a very good position.""I'm glad the negotiation part is behind us. I can't wait to tell the team we have a signed contract from a major buyer, and we're ready to launch."We say our goodbyes, and then I drive to Hayford's.When I enter my department, every single member of the team watches me walk in. I can tell they've all been waiting. I give a huge smile and then hold the signed papers up over my head like a trophy."We have a signed contract, and we're ready for launch!"There are hoops and hollers as everyone gives a cheer. Then comes a lot of backslapping and high-fives.Ellen comes over. "So, are you nervous abou
Collins.It's Thursday morning, and I'm early. I want to be at the ten o'clock meeting to show Felicia my support. She's worked so hard on putting this deal together.The night before last, I started training one of the supervisors to be Hawkin's backup. Smitty, the guy I've been training, appears to be catching on quickly.I really don't want to work another night shift ever again. I'd rather be home at night, in bed with my wife.Damn, I can't believe how much I've missed being with Felicia. It's only been since Monday night, but I've gotten used to spending our evenings together.It doesn't matter if we're sharing stories about work, watching a movie and eating popcorn, sitting out on our deck, or riding our bikes. What's important is doing all of these things together, doing them with Felicia.I pull out my phone and look down at the last text she sent me. I saved it like some love-sick teenager simply because Felicia sent me a red beating heart. Damn, I've got it bad.I haven't h
Felicia.It's Wednesday, and I've been on pins and needles, waiting for everything to come together.Our department has been working around the clock to get the changes to the software ready. It's come a long way from the rough draft that Carson was originally shown.The team took my ideas and ran with them. They came up with some very innovative improvements on their own. Excitement is high.I've barely seen Collins as we're working opposite shifts.I'm getting ready to grab some lunch because I'm hungry. I skipped breakfast again this morning. My stomach has been acting up. Maybe Ellen was right, and I'm coming down with something."Felicia, it's Jaxson Gibson. Would you be able to stop by my office today?""Hi, Jaxson. Yes, I was getting ready to leave for lunch in a few minutes. I could be there in about fifteen minutes if that works?""Great. I'll see you then."When I walk into Jaxson's office, I'm shown into a small conference room in the back.Jaxson comes in. "Felicia, thanks
Felicia.It's Monday, and I spent most of Sunday looking up information about ReConstruct.Collins suggested I hire Jaxson and his team to look into the company's finances and bank records. I called Jaxson from the parking lot before I entered the building, so I'm running a little late.When I enter our department I find Ellen waiting for me in my office."Uh oh, are you here with good news or bad news?""You decide. Here are the projected sales from the third-party company. They re-ran the numbers based on the new marketing and pricing plan."I carefully put down my briefcase, sit down, and only then do I pick up the file in front of me.I quickly skim through their findings. Then I look up with a beaming smile."Let's get these over to Donovan Security.""Already done."After Ellen leaves, I lean back in my chair and just sit there with a smile on my face for a few minutes until I get a text from Collins.'I bet you're smiling!' With a smiley face emoji. My response is just a row of