Lia Perkins is dying. When her husband Randy asks her for a final wish, she asks him a critical question.
Randy’s answer prompts her to reluctantly reply. Lia’s final wish is to go out on a few dates with a man of her dreams.
Kristen Aries has been denied love in the past. When he met Lia eight months earlier, he was completely smitten, but Lia informed him that she was married.
Will the hands of fate intercede to give Lia and Kristen what they both desire? A chance to discover why they were drawn to each other at first sight.
Randy glared at her in anger. “What? Do you want to go on a cruise? Disney World? Go to some exotic spa for a week? What is the final thing that I can give you so that I can stand over your grave and know that I actually made you happy for once in the last two years?”
“I don’t want a grave. I want to be cremated and you know that.”
“You’re changing the subject. Why won’t you give me an answer?”
Lia fought to restrain the grin that threatened to creep across her lips. She needed to confirm her suspicions. If she were right, then her wish wouldn’t seem so wrong. If she were wrong, then she would keep her mouth shut. “I’ll answer that with a question. Were you planning on divorcing me before I got sick?”
“What difference does it make? I’m still here.”
“Yeah. More depressed and miserable then you were to begin with. I want the truth. Were you going to divorce me?”
“Yes!” His hand angrily brushed at his hair. “Our marriage is shit, Lia. I have been unhappy for years, and so have you. I figured we would both be better to pack it in and start over. I had already spoken to a lawyer, but then you got sick. I called it off.”
“Thank you for telling me the truth.” Lia hesitated. Maybe she should just take her wish to her grave. She considered his admission. They were both tragically unhappy. Was it wrong to ask for the one thing that had made her feel good? It was nothing more than an illusion, but... “You keep asking what my final wish is. It’s just that...a stupid wish that only fate can make into reality.” Lia poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Okay. Enlighten me. What is this cosmic wish?”
“I’m not happy either. It doesn’t change the fact that in ways I still love you. I’m afraid that my wish will hurt you, and I don’t want that. I understand that the arthritis in your ankles makes your life difficult, but I can’t lie in bed with you all day. I wish that you would go see a specialist before I’m no longer here to help you.”
“You’re incredible,” he replied in disgust. “I admit that I was going to divorce you, and you make a wish for me. Are you trying to make me feel more guilty than I already do?”
“Of course not.”
“Then give me a real wish, Lia!” he snapped in growing irritation. “Make a wish for yourself. There has to be something you want.”
Lia lowered her eyes and nodded slowly. “There is.” Did she really want to tell him this? He had stayed around so she wouldn’t be alone. That had to count for something.
Randy was glaring at her, the irritation clearly showing in his eyes. She had been putting him off, but the desire to tell him was now stronger than her guilt. “About eight months ago, a man came into work to buy a six-pack. There was something about him that left me shaking and unable to speak. No one has had that effect on me since I met you, and it blew me away. He came in again the following week and asked me for a date. I said no and made sure that he saw my wedding ring. I wanted to say yes so badly, but I didn’t. I made a commitment to you, and I have never cheated on you. I’ll also never forget the expression of utter heartbreak on his face when I said no. I have never been able to forget him. I have always had the feeling that if you and I ever split up, I would see him again and get a second chance. You stayed because I was sick, but with each passing day, that premonition is stronger.”
“So your final wish is for me to leave?”
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