Laura and I spend five weeks together on the road. It’s a strange and wonderful time. We’d go from laughing and joking like we were back in Vegas, to remembering the situation and putting distance between ourselves. My favorite moments of all are the ones where I catch her looking at me when she doesn’t know I’m watching. Her eyes would always be filled with affection. Affection, and something else.

I can’t count the times I’ve looked at her in the same way. Whether she is bowed down over her laptop designing something for a client, staring out the car window with her hair flying out behind her, or quietly sipping a drink at a hotel bar, she is beautiful.

As we get closer to Illinois, I become more excited. Tonight, I’ll meet Alice for the last time. At last, I can end things between us and then, if she’ll still have me, beg Laura to be mine.

I love her.

This will be our last night in a hotel together before I can finally deliver Laura to her front door tomorrow.

Laura and I have continued to share hotel rooms since discussing the divorce. I’ve enjoyed nights in with her, watching bad movies and ordering in room service. As the weeks have gone by, our passionate spark has dulled into a reliable friendship.

It pains me to think of what a sensational adventure we could have shared if I had only done things differently. If I’d have ended things with Alice with a clean cut from the start, I’d have been free to pursue something with Laura. This trip could have been the time of our lives.

Instead, a woman who came into my life as an unexpected bombshell has stayed in my life as something much more.

Laura looks across at me as we pull into the hotel parking lot. Her smile is resigned. She’s forgiven me for not telling her about Alice, and now we talk openly about her. It’s me who must push down my feelings for Laura when Alice’s name pops up.

“You must be nervous about seeing Alice,” Laura says. “What are you going to say?”

I let out a long breath. “I’m going to start by coming clean about a few things and take it from there.”

“Have you thought any more about whether you’re going to break things off?”

“I think it’s for the best.”

“You might feel differently when she’s standing right in front of you.”

I bow my head. “You could be right.”

“What time is she coming?”

“She says she’ll be here around nine.”

“Do we have time for a quick dinner?”

“Sure.”

We take our bags up to the room and head to the hotel restaurant for a simple meal. We both order burgers and cokes.

As we’re sitting together, the moment feels bittersweet. I can’t take my eyes off Laura. For some reason, this feels like the end, even though I know it’s up to me to tell her how I feel.

First things first, Adam.

My plan is to break things off with Alice tonight and confess my feelings to Laura in the morning before I take her home. In my fantasy, Alice takes the break up well, Laura accepts my apology, and somehow, she and I form a wonderful, fulfilling relationship despite the distance and drama of all that came before.

I know it’s wishful thinking, but it doesn’t matter. Only I can save my relationship with Laura now.

Laura looks up at me over her soda. “What’s on your mind, Adam?”

“I can’t believe everything’s over already.”

She smiles. “It passed fast, didn’t it?”

“It was the quickest trip of my life. I hope you don’t think I’m speaking out of place when I tell you I’m going to really miss you.”

Laura bows her head quickly. It seems to me she’s trying to hide tears. When she speaks, her voice is tight. “I’ll miss you, too.”

I reach over and hold her hand. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. We’ll have to meet at least one more time to sign the papers.”

“I don’t know about that. We could probably do it all through the mail.”

“Is that what you want?”

Laura lifts her eyes to catch mine, and I imagine they’re filled with longing until she says, “Yes.”

Alice is wearing the same tight black dress she wore the first night we came to the bar at the Starlight Inn. It’s been ten years since we first traveled together. She’s hardly aged a day.

Her blonde hair is a few shades lighter, but it shines brightly, twisted into an elegant chignon knot at the back of her head. Crystals sparkle at her neck and on her wrist. She’s carrying a large, heavy silver-suede purse. Her makeup is expertly applied, giving her the illusion of dark, smoky eyes, and full, kissable lips.

I can’t stop thinking about her kissing another man.

I’m already sitting at the bar when she arrives. Laura’s waiting in the room upstairs. I feel guilty leaving her alone on our last night together, but it’s unavoidable. I’m hoping it goes as smoothly as the end of a twelve-year relationship can go.

Alice plants herself right next to me, lifting herself onto the high red-leather barstool and balancing one stiletto on the bar under her seat. She’s wearing a pair of sheer stockings that show off the smooth curve of her shapely legs.

As soon as she’s at my side, she reaches out and grabs my hand with both of hers. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

I pat the back of her hands in a friendly manner and pull away from her. I close my fingers pointedly around my whiskey.

“You didn’t have to dress up, Alice.”

She straightens her body and lengthens her pose deliberately, showing off all her womanly curves. She lifts her chin and pouts. “I wanted to look good for you.”

“This isn’t the sort of situation you can solve with looks.”

“I know that. You think I would have come all the way to Illinois to talk with you if I didn’t think we needed to have a serious conversation?”

“Let me begin,” I say. “I want to tell you something.”

“Ssh.” Alice holds up a finger. “Don’t. I need to speak first.”

She bends at the waist to pick up her purse from the floor. She picks out a paper from within and slides it across to me to point out a circled piece of property.

“Look at this. It’s a three-bedroom detached house in the suburbs. It’s got a living room and two family rooms. We could have our own offices to work from. There’s even a pool. More than that, it’s close to all the good schools.”

I snap my head up and narrow my eyes. Seems expensive for an Instagram model. “Why are you showing me this?”

Alice leans forward toward me and takes both my hands in hers. Her expression is pleading with me. “You were right. We should start a family. I’m thinking maybe that’s what all this has been about. I was scared to settle down, so I sabotaged everything. I didn’t realize there was nothing to be afraid of until everything blew up in my face. You’re the man I love, and I want a life with you.”

I stare at the circled ad, and all my resolve disappears. Alice is promising me a family. She’s held me at arm’s length for years, wanting a marriage and a wedding, but not showing any indication we would ever have a real family. Now she’s telling me she’s ready for more.

I clear my throat. “Are you telling me you want kids?”

“I’m ready now.”

I hold the paper in my hand before I tear my gaze away and shake my head. “It doesn’t change the fact you cheated.”

“I know.” Her expression is full of remorse. “It won’t be easy for you to be able to trust me again, but we’ve been together for so long and come so far.” She pushes the paper back toward me. “Why quit now?”