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“I was in the middle of handling two,” he wiggled two fingers, “two blondes when my boss and best friend summoned me. For what reason, might I ask?”
I explained to him that I need him to draft a withdrawal contract as I wanted out of the deal with Nalena. He then told me that I’d bare no loss and I should go ahead. Everything’s coming up Dillon, today.
Azzaria just stood to the side, speechless, staring at Arnoldo and me. “You didn’t have to. It’s okay n—”
I placed my hands on either side of her face, our foreheads touching. “You want her gone? She’s gone. Nothing will stop me from ensuring you’re in a good mental space, especially after all you’ve been through in your previous relationship.”
“Thank you, baby. I appreciate it.”
At that moment, I felt something intense in my chest. It was a new sensation, a spark I’d never felt before. I didn’t know what it was, but I was certain it was the best feeling I’d ever experienced in my life.
CHAPTER 26
Azzaria
Tonight has been one of the weirdest nights, and I just wanted it to be over, but it’s also been a good night. Seeing Dillon on stage made me feel full. It was amazing to see him so happy and passionate.
But it also brought a strange thought to me, and I hoped I was wrong. I had only hoped he didn’t go through the same form of abuse I did.
Brushing that thought aside, I walked over to where Abigail and Mikkel were seated. Ronan and the rest of the group were probably knee-deep in women, and Dillon was in several interviews. I watched him as he moved from station to station, looking handsome, educated, and dapper.
“Where’s Dillon? He’s normally attached to your side,” Mikkel pointed out. And that’s very true. For two people who wanted to keep a relationship private, we sure couldn’t leave each other alone.
“He’s in interviews, but enough about me, I’m bored. Are these things always so long?” It’s after 11 in the night, and the party seems to have just started, but I’m running out of energy. There’s too much going on, and the music is just getting louder.
My phone pinged, and I glanced down to see a text from Mara. She was telling me that she and the baby were tired and, as such, she left.
I smiled at how close she and I had become. We didn’t talk every single day, but we were there for each other, and she could offer advice in ways that no one else could, especially because she knew her brother better than most.
“Yeah. It normally ends around 1 or whenever Dillon leaves.”
“You needed a night out,” Abigail said, drinking her fiftieth glass of wine.
I took the glass from her and switched it with a glass of water. She didn’t even notice the switch; that’s how drunk she was. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change out of these heels. They’re getting uncomfortable.”
I walked off, and a man stopped me. He looked like Dillon, and then I put the dots together. It’s his father. “I don’t think we’ve met,” he said and held his hand out for me to shake.
I observed him first before I made a move or said anything. He was definitely intimidating but not as much as his son. He’s very tall and has nice black hair with silver streaks. His clothes were expensive, but given how easily it catches lint, I could tell it wasn’t as expensive as Dillon’s. There’s so much one person can note by just looking.
“We haven’t met,” I said, offering a smile. “I’m Azzaria.”
“You’re the woman who’s got my son so distracted lately,” he said in a judgy tone.
My soft chuckle didn’t give away much emotion, but it gave away enough. I wouldn’t ever let him know that I was bothered by him. Powerful men don’t deserve that knowledge. But something told me he’s not as powerful as he wants people to believe.
“I should hope I am,” I replied nervously. “How’s your evening?”
“It’s good. I just had dinner with my wife and Annalise. She’s such a joyful young woman, and I’m particularly sad that she and Dillon didn’t work out. They were a beautiful couple,” he noted, sounding excited.
I swallowed, hard, and rubbed my palms against my dress. The anxiety was creeping up on me, once more. “I’m sure they were, but everyone has to move on.”
“Not Dillon. He’s just distracted. I remember him bragging about her all day. A man never forgets his first love, and even earlier when they were waltzing and having conversations at the table. It felt like old times. It felt like my family was back to the way it was.” His tone was reminiscent, and he was convincing. I didn’t have much to say, and it was clear that his family, excluding Mara, didn’t and wouldn’t approve of me, and I was good with that. But while I could argue my way around a tricky ex or around a woman-obsessed, I couldn’t do the same with an ex-wife. He was married to this woman for five years. They slept together, planned a life, and exchanged sweet words. Of course, he’d always love her, and I was such an idiot for thinking I could fill that space.
“It’s getting late, and I have errands tomorrow,” I said, sounding composed and gracefully walking away.
He made mumblings, but I didn’t hear and didn’t want to hear it. I’ve heard and been through enough tonight. It’s making me sick, and I did what I do best; I ran.
Glancing at my phone, I somehow found myself at my mother’s doorstep at 3 o’clock in the morning. She always left a key under the welcome mat, and I just lifted it and let myself in.
