Strange Bedfellows
~ ch. 19, continued ~
It was obvious from the set of
his body that Alex meant what he said. Dara
realized that there was only one solution to their ‘stand-off’.
“Alex,” she began softly, “you are a wonderful man.
And I cherish the time we spent together.
But there are things in life that I want for myself.
Things I couldn’t have gotten on my own. Or with you.”
“Things?”
“Yes.”
Dara tried to ignore the growing hurt and confusion in Alex’s eyes.
“I want to do more than handle pickpockets and hookers and thugs the
rest of my career. I want a chance
to write my name in the law journals. And
I don’t want to have to work myself to death just to try and achieve that.” She leaned lightly against Stefan and shrugged.
“The things I want for myself don’t have to remain a dream with
Stefan.”
“Don’t give me that
bull!” Alex railed. “I know
you! I know what you want!”
“And what would that be,
Alex?” Dara’s tone was
deliberately cruel. “A little
white house? A future as a
policeman’s wife? An early end to
my career in exchange for a house full of children?”
The beautiful attorney shook her head derisively.
“No. Those were your dreams
for me.”
Dara sighed.
“Just let it go, Alex. I
have made a choice for my life. Accept
it.”
Garcia’s voice was so soft
it could just be heard. “Even if
I believed everything you just told me, Dara, I would still never accept that
this is real. I know how
sacred marriage is to you. We
talked about it.” He paused.
“You would never take those vows lightly.”
“No,” Dara agreed
solemnly, “I wouldn’t.” She
angled and placed her left hand softly on Stefan’s chest, just above his
heart. The diamond flecks in her
simple wedding band danced in the sunlight.
Dara looked up into the eyes of her new husband.
“I didn’t take them lightly.”
Alex was crushed.
Dara was as comfortable in the other man’s arms as she had ever been in
his. “Then I guess there is
nothing more to say.”
Dara settled into the embrace
Stefan offered. “Nothing but
goodbye, Alex.”
