CHAPTER 5

ANN

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay,” I cut him off gently, forcing a small smile. “Second year of our marriage, Judge started getting worried that I couldn’t conceive. We went to the hospital, ran some tests, and the doctor confirmed that my tubes were blocked. Two different doctors, actually. So yeah…”

I let out a quiet breath.

“I’ve made peace with it.”

At least, that was what I told people.

What I told myself. But I still remembered that night.

How I cried until my chest hurt. How I buried my face in the pillow so no one would hear me. And how, from that moment on, Judge never let me forget it.

Barren, that was the word he used. Over and over again.

I glanced at Duke. His expression had shifted slightly. It seems like he had more questions, but wasn’t sure if he should ask them.

“You can ask me anything,” I said. “The least I can do is be honest. I won’t be upset.”

He tapped his foot lightly. I noticed he did that a lot when he was thinking.

“I was wondering…” he started slowly, “he doesn’t seem to have been married before. There’s nothing online about it.”

“Oh,” I said. “His first wife left. With his children. That’s all he ever told me.”

It had always been strange to me.

A man with that much power, and influence… and yet, he didn’t bring them back.

“You want to go clubbing?” Duke suddenly said, his tone shifting. “Let’s dance out all that crazy energy, and spit on Judge’s bald head.”

I blinked, then burst out laughing.

“Okay,” I said, still smiling. “I need that.”

We got into the car, music playing softly at first, then louder as Duke turned it up; old songs.

I found myself moving slightly to the beat, my shoulders relaxing, my body loosening in a way it hadn’t in years.

The club was already full when we arrived, with neon lights flashing, good music, and people dancing.

The VIP section was even louder, brighter, filled with attention I didn’t ask for.

I noticed the way people stared when Duke walked in, especially the girls.

That was when it hit me again. He’s a star.

“Do you drink?” he asked, leaning slightly closer so I could hear him.

I hesitated. Then I nodded my head lightly.

“Yes,” I said instead. “I’ll take a shot.”

One turned into two.

Two into three.

The burn in my throat hurt, but I liked the way it made everything feel lighter.

“I think you should slow down, Ann,” Duke said, his voice close to my ear. “You don’t want to get drunk and…”

I didn’t hear the rest.

The music dropped. A new song came on, pulling me in.

I stood up without thinking and started moving. Dancing is something I'm good at.

The room blurred slightly.

The lights, people, noise, everything spun together.

My balance slipped, but before I could fall, Duke caught me.

“I think you’re tipsy,” he said, his hand firm around my waist.

We were close, His face right there.

His lips were a few inches away from mine.

I leaned in and kissed him hard.

*******

I jerked awake. My body was covered in sweat, and my heart was beating very fast; it was another nightmare.

It felt too real this time.

I looked around the room quickly to remind myself that this is New York, not Dallas.

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm myself.

My head throbbed; hangover. How did I get here? The last thing I remember was the club and…shit!

My eyes widened. No way.

“Fuck,” I whispered under my breath.

I kissed him. I actually kissed him.

I pressed my hands against my head, groaning softly.

What was I thinking?

I wasn’t thinking. That was the problem.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

The door opened, and Duke walked in.

I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.

“Good morning,” he said, walking in. “I got you this. It’ll help with the hangover.”

He handed me a small mug.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Then I forced myself to look at him.

“Duke… I’m sorry about yesterday. I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have done that. You’re just a kid, and I should’ve known better.”

“I’m twenty-six,” he said.

His eyes were closed for a moment.

I held my breath.

Was he angry?

He opened them again and smiled.

“I’m not angry,” he said. “Uncle Louis is here to see you. And… you’re a really good dancer. I could watch you all day.”

My face heated instantly.

“Uncle Louis is here,” he repeated. “Good morning.”

He turned and left.

I watched him go, my eyes following him until the door closed.

Then I let out a long breath.

I am never drinking again.

Louis was seated by the patio when I joined him, flipping through a magazine.

“Hi,” I said. “You still love reading.”

He looked up immediately, closing the magazine and setting it aside.

“And you haven’t aged at all,” he said. “If anything, you’re more beautiful.”

His gaze lingered on me for a long time, and it made me uncomfortable.

“It still feels unreal,” he added softly. “Seeing you like this, this close.”

I shifted slightly in my seat.

There was something in his eyes I remembered.

“I came back for you,” he continued. “Two years later. But they told me you got married.”

I looked away.

“I blamed myself,” he said. “For leaving like that. I was a coward. I should have taken you with me.”

I shook my head.

“All of that isn’t important, Louis,” I said quietly. “It’s been over sixteen years or more. It is in the past now.”

“It is important,” he said, his voice firmer now.

“I haven’t stopped loving you, Ann,” he said. “I’m still crazy about you.”