All Chapters of Teach Me How to Love You: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

"I made sure you knew the rules before we moved forward so you could be certain you'd handle it," Alan said. "It matters to me. But you're right. All of this is still new to you, and you shouldn't have to live here miserable and starving yourself. So I'll help you."He paused, choosing his next words with care."The thing is, I can't do that as your husband. So we'll help each other instead. As friends.""Friends?" I echoed, not sure I'd heard right. "I'm going to need you to explain that one.""Outside this house, we're husband and wife. At events, in front of people, none of that changes." His eyes held mine. "But in here, between us, we're just friends. Two people sharing a house. You tell me when I've wronged you, I do the same for you."He held out the offer plainly. "Friendship. That's what I'm putting on the table."I took my time, thinking it through around a mouthful of food."It sounds good," I admitted. "I think I can live with that. But you should remember, friends don't y

Alan let out a breath and nodded at the couch. "Sit."I lowered myself onto it."Every relationship has its deal breakers. Mine is Amy. Don't ask me about her again."The curiosity was still there, sitting heavy in me. But whatever the story behind Amy was, it wasn't worth losing the peace this friendship arrangement had given me. I wasn't going to throw that away just to satisfy myself."Okay," I said. "But I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me Amy again.""I'm sorry about that." His voice was quiet. "It won't happen again.""I'll take the black dress."He nodded, understanding it without me having to explain."There's a blue one in there too." He glanced up. "You might like it.""I don't like blue.""Okay. I'll have it returned."Alan respected my choice without even asking why.It got me thinking about the ass that was Damien. He knew I hated blue, knew the whole reason behind it, and still brushed it off every time like my reasons were nothing but silly sentiments.I really had

Whatever doubt was left in me cleared the second Damien spotted me and started hiding.I kept my face blank, like I hadn't noticed him at all. But the way he scrambled out of every aisle I wandered into, the way he kept that arm hidden from view, gave him away completely.To be sure my mind wasn't playing tricks on me, I decided to test it. Hung around, circled back, drifted toward wherever he'd slipped off to, just to watch him bolt again. By the end of it there was no doubt left in my mind. He was running from me.I made a show of studying the label on a jar, reading the back of it like it was the most fascinating thing in the world, while I tracked him out of the corner of my eye. He dumped half the things in his cart, grabbed one item, paid for it, and practically fled the store.I stood there a little stunned that my life had ever crossed paths with someone like him.I wanted to tell Alan right then. But the doubt crept in just as fast. Would he believe me? Or would I come off li

Lory wanted to see Noah, so she had me tag along with her to my house.The living room was empty when we walked in. Lory dropped onto the couch while I went to dig him out.He was bent over some thick business book when I came in. He glanced up. "Didn't you just visit yesterday?"I ignored that. "Come with me. I've got a surprise for you.""What surprise?"I took the book out of his hands, set it aside, and pulled him up by the arm before he could protest, steering him out to the living room."Ta-da." I planted him down right between Lory and me.Lory beamed at him. "Did you miss me?"Noah turned to me, unimpressed. "Where's the surprise?"I pointed at Lory, and she shot me a look that said really?"Stop pretending," Lory told him. "I know you missed me. And like I promised, I brought you things from Paris." She held out a gift bag.Noah stared at it like it might bite. "What if I don't want it?""Don't be rude," Lory chided."Just take it, Noah," I cut in.He sighed, took the bag, an

I went through the comments, still in awe that strangers were comfortable enough to lay their experiences bare for me, and I found myself answering some of them.One stood out. A woman who said the most painful part of love was losing someone, that the worst part was knowing the loss is coming and not being able to stop it. She wished she could go back and spend more time with whoever she'd lost.Reading that pricked at my conscience. It reminded me I hadn't seen Nana since the wedding, and a wave of guilt washed over me. I got up, dressed, and made up my mind to go check on her.Her whole face brightened the moment she saw me.She led me into her room, and once we were settled, she asked me to be honest with her about how things were going in the marriage."It's good now," I assured her. "Alan and I are friends. We're past the fighting stage."That earned me a wide smile."And your health?" I asked. "How are you holding up?""Still fighting it." She patted my hand. "But there's hope.