Maybe Forever (Maybe... Book 3) Read Free Page B

Laney, they need my help at the workshop too—"
    "Mads, listen to me...my boss—they want me to come back to work—"
    "Isn't that what you want?"
    "What? No, not yet—"
    "You're always saying you're bored being at home, so go back to work."
    "I'm not bored, I never said I was bored." I couldn't remember saying it, but maybe I had. Sometimes I missed being around other adults. I didn't want to sit through another play date with a Danish version of a latte mamma who was perfectly content to talk in that sing-song baby voice. I missed talking to my husband about something other than what the kids had done all day. I missed having a life that was just mine.
    He raked his hands through his hair. We were sinking— I was sinking. And I watched him as if through a blurred window, watched the tension steeling his shoulders, the taut pull of his jaw as he paced and tried to figure out how to untangle this mess.
    "Laney...just, leave the kids with Ingrid and Anton, or see if Henrik and Eddy can take them, and come to Milan with me."
    "You know it won't work. You'll be too busy..."
    "Laney, I want you to come."
    "I know.”
    "But you won't."
    "How will you make sure we have time together? I want to be alone with you."
    "I don't know what you want me to do.”
    "Carve some time out for me. I need you too, Mads. I'm floundering here. I'm trying to keep everything running so you don't have to focus on what's going on here."
    "I'm here every night—"
    "You're here, but you're not here. Your mind's on the workshop, on your projects. I try to talk to you and you don't hear me. You make promises to Liv—she was so upset because you forgot you promised to take her to the playground...and I've been trying to cover for you when you tell her you're going to do things and then you don't—"
    "I didn't promise her we'd go to the play—"
    "You promised her at breakfast, and she remembered it. She remembers everything you tell her, Mads. She never forgets." My hands dropped to my sides. My insides twisted, coiled, pulled so hard... I was shaking so hard, I felt as though I'd lose my footing if I kept standing. I sank onto the sofa and then breathed in and out slowly. My chest felt hot and tight.
    Mads stopped pacing. He came over to me, sat beside me and rubbed the back of my neck with his strong fingers. " Tag det roligt, Laney. Det er okay. Vi vil være okay. " He pulled me close to him. My body betrayed me. It gave in so easily to him. Even when he was part of the reason I felt so awful. I wanted to be able to look at him and list in the most rational tone of voice all the ways he was failing me. I wanted him to understand that just kissing me wouldn't magically solve our problems.
    "Tomorrow...we'll celebrate our anniversary tomorrow," Mads cupped my cheek with his hand. He bit his lower lip and smiled at me. I nodded slowly. The pain in my chest eased enough that breathing didn't hurt now. I hated these spasms...they were happening more and more now. Whenever I was too upset or anxious... God, my hands were still shaking. Mads noticed, too. He clasped my hands between his. We sat like that, neither of us looking at the other, until finally my pulse stopped roaring in my ears. "I'll book a table for us at Madklubben. I'll call Ingrid and see if Sasha can come and watch the girls overnight. And then I'll book a room for us at the Kong Arthur...and it can be like that first night we spent together. Okay...? Just you and me, elskede . No distractions."
    I nodded again. I would take this. I knew this would have to do until he could finally take some time off from work.
    We sat like this, with him still holding my hands but not looking at me. And me...I just nodded and then said, "Don't forget to go in to Liv..."
    Mads murmured "okay" and then let go of my hands. He kissed the top of my head, then left me on the sofa. I heard him as he spoke to Liv; my heart swelled as I listened to the loving tone he used with her. I cleaned up the kitchen, then