“Just last night, you told me you want more than a hot roll in the sack, but when you’re obviously upset about something, that’s not my concern?”

He stared at her, stunned by the forthright statement. That sort of communication had been missing in the latter years of his marriage, and it was one of many things he appreciated about Chelsea. Kevin put down the beer and took a few steps toward her. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he looked into her eyes. “You are so much more to me than a hot roll in the sack. If you don’t know that by now, I need to do a better job of telling you so.”

“I’m not fishing for compliments, Kevin. You told me last night you want us to be about more than sex. You haven’t been yourself tonight, and I’m asking why.”

He appreciated the effort she was making and was encouraged that she’d taken what he said last night to heart. “It’s nothing to do with you. It’s the boys… I’ve been sensing a little pushback from them.”

“About us?”

“Among other things.”

Her brows knitted the way they did when she was thinking something over. “Hmm.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s just… Don’t take this the wrong way, but you know they aren’t boys anymore, right? They’re fully grown men, as are you, and all of you are free to do whatever you want, within reason, of course.”

“I do know that, but old habits die hard. I’ve always called them ‘the boys,’ and I probably always will. And I do know that we’re not doing anything wrong. Believe me, I know that. They’re still getting used to their mom and I breaking up, and they’re having a hard time processing it. That’s all it is.”

“The breakup wasn’t your doing. They know that, right?”

“Yes, they do, but we’re still their parents, and our split has had an impact on them. I see it all the time in my practice. I swear divorce is easier on little kids than it is on grown kids. It tilts their entire world out of alignment. Everything they believed to be true is challenged.”

“And they get over it. In time. It’s not fair for them to make you feel bad about doing something that makes you feel good, especially when it wasn’t your decision to end your marriage.”

“It was in some ways,” he said with a sigh. “I knew she wasn’t happy, and I didn’t do a damned thing about it.”

“Because you wanted out, too?”

“Yeah, but I was never going to leave her.”

“I don’t get that. If you were unhappy, why would you stay?”

“Loyalty, tradition, the boys… Lots of reasons.”