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Knowing that didn’t help fix this fucking mess. He had no idea what would.
As if he’d willed his phone to ring again, it did. This time, he glanced at the display before answering.
Gia.
His heart stopped, and he stabbed the button to answer. “Yes?”
“Jason?” Her voice trembled. “I need to talk to you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jason braced himself for whatever she’d called to say. Whether she felt guilty or angry or worried, she’d brought them to this place. Okay, he’d helped. Being decisive and in charge worked for him in business. Clearly, it didn’t translate as well in marriage. His mistake, and he’d already taken note for future reference. That, and the fact that he fucking missed her, were the reasons he’d jumped to answer her call. But without calm, productive conversation…their marriage could only be heading one place.
“I’m listening.”
“Face to face. I can’t do what I need to over the phone.”
Do, not say. Had she decided not to wait the eight days until their anniversary to file for divorce? Most women wouldn’t pass up a decent six figures just to be free a few days early. Gia? With her, anything was possible.
He could point out the pitfalls of bailing early on their agreement, but she was smart. She knew the score. And even if it made him foolish, he wanted to know what the hell was going on in her head. He wanted to see her, too. Might as well not kid himself. Besides, once she’d served him with papers and they started down the grand road to divorce, he wanted to look her in the eye and tell her that he loved her. In part because he knew he’d never feel like he’d given this his all until he did. And also because he wanted Gia to know exactly what she’d lost.
“When and where?”
“Four thirty. Lakeside Park, by the granite teddy bears.”
The park he’d taken her to early in their relationship for their first scene together, a semi-public one meant to open her submission and fulfill a fantasy. The same one in which she’d called her safe word and nearly ended everything between them for good.
Symbolism. Fabulous. He loathed that shit.
“I’ll be there.”
“Thank you. See you then.”
Before he could reply, she hung up. Jason cursed, then paced his empty condo. He had exactly eight hours to decide how to approach her.
Grabbing his gear, he left his place. Too many memories of Gia here pelting him. He wished like hell he would have thought of that before he’d coerced her to stay in his home. He could have gotten a suite at the Crescent or something. But no. He’d wanted her in his personal space, in his bed, as if she shared his life. So she would experience what their marriage could be like.
Dumbass.
Making his way out the door and to his Porsche, he drove the city aimlessly, past his boyhood neighborhood, past upscale shops and family neighborhoods. A pretty brunette pushed a stroller on the sidewalk, a napping toddler securely tucked in. The smiling woman looked visibly pregnant with another child.
Why couldn’t that be his life? His family?
Damn it, he sounded maudlin.
His phone rang again. He couldn’t see the screen while driving, but he pounced on it. “Gia?”
“Is that your wife or your latest girl toy?”
Samantha. He sighed. “Did you want something?”
“Well, I’m being a good mother this time and inviting you to my engagement party.”
Jason recoiled. “That was fast. The guy you met at Neiman’s?”
She sighed as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Geoffrey is a wonderful man. You’ll like him. He takes such good care of me.”
Whatever. “What do you like about him? I mean, besides his bank balance.”
