Good for Now (Book One of The Now Series) by Rebecca J. Ryan

be normal for my fingers to spread a little, no fault of mine of course. As these things happen to mothers, he said as I grow fond at the idea of eventually having a family.
    I bring my hand up to my mouth and discreetly kiss my engagement ring. Kevin doesn't remember the name of the store he bought it from, saying the only thing he could remember was the sweet old man who sold it to him.
    I stare at Kevin amazed how he is with me, and how he is now my fiancé. This is big, no this is huge. I’m the chosen one, any future Kevin's will be born from my loins. This gives me all the strength I need to make sure our marriage succeeds.
    In the corner of my eye I see the innkeeper come our way, "How is breakfast? Are you enjoying yourselves?” She asks, blushing a bit as she looks at Kevin.
    “Yes, "I say, smiling and staring at her for a long moment.
    Kevin looks interested in Nadine, like she jumped out of a fashion magazine, and I must agree she is quite attractive with her blond, chic bob, all her hairs behaving, moving in unison, and petite frame is solid like a cheerleader, she is what others call, "cute as a button".
    It's almost like she's not real, like she is one of Kevin's fabricated characters, that decided to pop out of his mind, especially with a sultry name like hers. Fuck, why does this have to happen? I take a deep breath and smile, its the best defense I have. I like to call it the "fuck you" smile, the one that any normal woman can literally and figuratively read loud and clear, basically saying don't fuck with me or my man.
    "Good, I'm glad you are. How's the milk? Is it cold enough?" she asks, staring at Kevin like a lost dog.
    "Yes," I say.
    "Good," she says.
    "Why?" asks Kevin, staring right at her neckline.
    I feel myself get hot, where is this conversation going? Why is she talking about milk being cold enough?
    "I find it perfectly cold, " I say.
    "It's just the refrigerator has been acting up lately, and the fridge guy is a day late," she says.
    Kevin clears his throat, "Well, Nadine, since you have been so hospitable to me , I'll take a look at it. I have been known to fix a few things in my lifetime," Kevin says, beaming like a prized boy. I hate when he is like this.
    Please, do you think I didn't notice the me slip? I think, looking at him.
    "I wouldn't dare to have you leave, Julie, don't even think of it," Nadine says.
    I already see where this is going, she is playing the I am fucking clueless card, and I play right into it.
    "Kevin, see what is wrong with the refrigerator so we can go out and explore and come back to cold milk."
    "Would you do that?" Nadine asks.
    "Sure, " Kevin says.
    Nadine looks at me and says, "You sure are lucky to have a man like Kevin. Do you know anyone like him available?"
    I smile, "Yes, I am, and I will say he is good with appliances." I ignore her last request completely.
    I hope this would send a message that he’s with me. For some reason I didn't say I was his fiancé because deep down I was hoping he would. I slid my left hand between my legs, wondering how the day would end. I was already exhausted.
    Kevin gets up, wipes his mouth with a napkin, then places it next to his finished plate of scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, and hash browns. He doesn't even say good-bye as he walks off with Nadine. I sink down in my seat, hoping he’ll return in the next few minutes.
    After my second cup of coffee, I get up, the dining area is about empty, there is only an elderly couple on their last bites of breakfast. They look so in love, the man is practically leaning over the small circular table to be as close as he can to his lady.
    This strikes an emotional cord within, this is what love should be. This only reminds me of what Kevin is not. He should be here like the old man. I wonder if the old man was once like Kevin and his wife changed him. Maybe this should give me encouragement.
    Walking to the back of the dining hall to where Kevin disappeared, through the swinging