Perfect Together by Kristen Ashley

“Have you considered the fact things getting physical might go a long way to working things out?” he asked.

“I can hardly pounce on him the night he shares his mother is dying, and oh yeah, she also physically, and along with her husband, mentally and emotionally abused him his whole life.”

Though, I had to admit, once I got over the shock of it all, being alone with Remy, spending time with him in his amazing home, that option had been preeminent on my mind.

And, I had to admit, I didn’t want to be talking about this with Noel, because that thought was still preeminent on my mind.

I had decided to work things out with Remy.

And one could say I was keen to work things out with my husband.

We hadn’t touched in that way since…

Well, since he came over about a year and a half ago to pick a fight, we’d both lost control and ended up having sex against the wall in my foyer.

That was the last time I’d had sex.

After he’d filed for divorce, I’d dated, and since Remy, taken two lovers.

But after that time in the entryway, that was over.

Not because I thought we’d get back together.

Just because, unconsciously I was holding on, and the reminder of how we were in that way, it was ridiculous, but seriously…

Remy ruined me for all other men.

Now, we were working things out.

And I was intent to get my husband back…and give both of us that back.

However, he was dealing with a lot, and although we had a history of working things out sexually after arguments, when things were emotional for Remy, he craved affection.

Heck, when my mom and dad died, Remy and I spent hours cuddling (literally hours). Or he’d play the piano, and no matter how much I had to do, I’d set it aside and sit close to him, reading, just so he could see me.

It had not been lost on me why this was, his mother and father being as they were.

Now, truly knowing the way his mother and father were, I felt it imperative to give him my time, attention and affection but not push him to…well, perform.

“Uh, yes you can,” Noel shot back. “Men feel comforted by precisely two things. You cooking them their favorite foods and you giving them an orgasm.”

I looked to the ceiling.

My cell rang.

So I aimed my eyes down to my desk and saw my daughter was calling.

I picked up the phone and answered, “Hey, honey.”

“Mom, love you, and I love that you and Dad are so totally getting back together even if you’re trying to be careful with our feelings in case it doesn’t work out, when it absolutely will, but all this family drama is killing my social life.”

Needless to say, I’d called the family meeting via text, telling the kids I wanted them all at their father’s house by seven that night for his steak tacos and discussion.

I knew this was doable because I knew their schedules. We had a family calendar on our phones, and yes, more evidence that I’d been ludicrously blind, and completely missed how my husband was reaching out to me even as he pushed me away, because Noel and Lisa had not once ceased in adding Remy and my details into it.

Therefore, I knew both Sabre and Manon were finished with classes that day by early afternoon, (Sabre’s last class finished at three). This meant they had time to get packed and drive up.

“Save the environment, drive together for once,” I ordered my daughter.

“Benji’s driving me up. We’re going to multi-task and add a meet the parents,” she declared.

Oh no they weren’t.

I pushed up from the desk. “Manon, if Benji is important to you, I’d love to meet him. But this isn’t the time.”

“If he’s gonna be a keeper, then he has to be introduced to Gastineau Family Theatrics. I’ll need to assess his reaction to that, and I figure that should be sooner rather than later.”

And there it was.

Reed had not been wrong.

Women also referred to men as “keepers.”

“Really, honey, this isn’t the time.”

“I talked to Yves and he’s bringing Theo. Though, that’s probably more about Dad’s tacos.”

Damn it.

Though, it probably was. Remy’s steak tacos were simple, but they were amazing.

“I’ll talk to your brother because he’s not bringing Theo.”

“It’s not a big deal, Mom, we all knew you’d get back together eventually.”

I drew in a breath.

And then I said, “Okay, yes, your dad and I are talking. However, this meeting is not about that, and it isn’t appropriate for Benji to be there.”

She started to say something.

But I didn’t hear it because Noel was there, taking my phone right from my ear and putting it to his.

“Doll, you’ve got Noel. Don’t fight your mom on this one. You with me?” Pause then. “Mm-hmm.” Pause and, “Mm-hmm.” One last pause then, “All right. We’ll do brunch. Byeee.”

He took the phone from his ear, disconnected from my daughter and handed it back to me.

“She’s going to contact Sah. They’ll come together. Benji is out…for now.”

“It’s unpleasant, being grateful to you and annoyed at you at the same time.”

He just grinned then asked, “Shall I call Theo?”