Husband Under Construction by Karen Templeton Page B

“You have a kid? ” he said, only to realize of course she didn’t. And that she wasn’t happy about that. “Oh, hell. I’m sorry.”
    Turning, Roxie let out a brittle half laugh. “Oddly enough, Jeff wasn’t. And Charley doesn’t know. So please don’t say anything.”
    â€œNo, of course not—”
    With a sharp nod and an even sharper turn, she continued down the street, practically at a trot by now, making Noah sprint behind her.
    â€œDammit, Rox—” Grabbing her shoulders, he spun her around. “Stop.” At the tears glittering in her eyes, heloosened his grip. But when she averted her gaze, clearly retreating once more into her own little safe place, he said, “You know how the tiles were coming loose in Charley’s bathroom? Easiest thing would’ve been to simply cement ’em back into place, call it a day. Except that wouldn’t’ve solved the problem, since the loose tiles were only a symptom. The moldy wall behind it, that was the problem.”
    She frowned up at him. “Where are you going with this?”
    Hopefully not straight to your S-list. “That…there’s no point in trying to fix the surface stuff without cleaning up the mess underneath. All at once. Not in bits and pieces when the mood strikes. And yes, it’s messy and potentially disgusting, and even scary because you don’t know exactly what you’re going to find, but better that than a crap job you’re only gonna have to redo at some point down the road. I’m not afraid of what’s under the surface, Rox. But if you don’t open up all the way, let me see the mess, I can’t fix it.”
    Her gaze danced with his for several seconds before she said, “What makes you think you can fix anything?”
    â€œWhat makes you so sure I can’t? Rox, honey,” he said when she looked away again, “it’s like you keep bringing me these loose tiles, like…you want me to know they’re falling off, but you won’t let me see why. Like you don’t trust me or something—”
    â€œIt’s not that!” she said, wide, startled eyes swinging back to his. “Ohmigosh, no! It’s not you . It’s just…” She swallowed. “I’m sorry for the fits and starts, I really am. But it’s just been me for so long….”
    When she pressed her lips together, Noah exhaled. Because, by rights, that was his cue to say, It’s okay, it doesn’t have to be just you anymore, I’m here. That he couldn’t made him feel like a fraud.
    â€œBut it also feels good to be pushed out of my own head,” she said.
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œNo,” she said on a short, soft laugh, then sighed. “Okay. When I said earlier that Charley has no idea how vulnerable he is? That’s because…that was me, three years ago when I met Jeff.” At Noah’s frown, a sad smile curved her mouth. “See, I was engaged before. To this amazing, funny, sweet guy…who dropped dead of a freak aneurism at twenty-eight. A month before our wedding.”
    â€œHoly hell, Rox…”
    Noah pulled her close, cupping her head against his chest, for the first time in his life feeling someone else’s pain like it was his own. Not a pleasant sensation, God knows, but humbling. And oddly…gratifying. After a moment, though, she slipped out of his embrace and started walking again, only at a more normal pace this time. He took her hand; she didn’t object.
    â€œHow is it you’re even functioning?” he asked quietly. “After everything you’ve been through—”
    â€œWhat? I should be curled up in a corner sucking my thumb?”
    â€œAnybody else would be.”
    â€œNot my style. Although, yeah, Mac’s death hit me pretty hard. Especially after losing my parents. But you know, I figured if I could come out the other