8 Weeks (Time for Love 1)

I couldn't walk into any room of our home without a memory of Cal and me making love coming through. We'd always had a wonderful sex life, and I'd often had a hard time keeping my hands off of him. Cal was one of the sexiest and most handsome men I’d ever seen. And he was all mine.

At least … he had been.

Now, I was sitting at my desk at the bank, trying not to think about Sasha showing my house to prospective buyers.

I should be ecstatic that she already had people interested in seeing the house, but my heart hurt when I thought of someone living in the home Cal and I had built together.

It had been my decision to sell it, but I hadn't realized how hard it would be.

I sighed deeply and pushed back from my desk.

I needed coffee.

I walked into the break room, started fixing a cup, and turned when I heard the door open behind me.

"Oh, hey, Carlos," I said when the small loans officer walked in.

"Hi, Shelly, how are you today?" Carlos asked with a smile.

Carlos had been working with me at the bank for about three months. He was new to the area and was really sweet. He was good-looking and kind, a single dad of a little boy.

"Okay," I lied with a smile. "How about you?"

Carlos walked over and f

illed his cup. He looked down for a minute, just standing there with his steaming mug in his hand, then he cleared his throat and looked up at me sheepishly.

"Look, Shelly," he began. "I don't want to step out of line, but I heard that you're separated from your husband, and that you're getting a divorce."

My stomach dropped at his words. It felt weird hearing that sentence spoken aloud.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, my hands shaking. "Um, yeah. We are separated."

Carlos looked nervous and took a deep breath before saying, "I know it's probably too soon, but I'd love to take you out, once you're ready."

My eyes widened. I was afraid they might bug out of my head, but I tried to remain calm otherwise.

Shit, I didn't know what to do. Everyone had always known about me and Cal, so I'd never had to worry about guys asking me out.

"Wow," I managed to spit out. "Um, I don't know what to say ... Cal and I are separated, but we have this deal where I won't ask for a divorce for eight weeks, while we try to make our marriage work." I spoke so quickly, I hoped Carlos was able to make out what I was saying. I liked him, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I was in no way ready to even think about dating someone else. At least not while I was dating my husband. "I appreciate the offer though."

Carlos looked embarrassed, and my heart went out to him. I'm sure it took a lot of courage to ask someone out, and I hoped this wouldn't make things awkward between us.

He nodded and said softly, "That's great. Please, forget I said anything. But, if you need to talk … I’ve been there."

I smiled and nodded my consent. When he walked out, I sagged against the counter. I wasn't sure how much more emotional upheaval I was going to be able to take.

I pulled out my cell phone and sent a text to Sasha and Gaby, "Carlos from work just asked me out."

I knew that Gaby was probably too busy at work to check her phone, but Sasha always had hers in her hand, so I wasn't surprised when my phone beeped almost immediately.

"Of course he did, we are so going to rule this city."

I chuckled at her response. I knew Sasha was trying to make me feel better. She loved Cal and although she'd never say it for fear of feeling unsupportive, she was hoping that we'd be able to work it out. I appreciated the gesture though.

"I said no."

"No fear, he was the first of many. Lunch?"