Page 34 of One Weekend in Los Angeles

“You ready?” He pulled his fancy Mercedes in front of the new bar.

“You bet I am.”

I was thankful I’d thrown a silk top into the bag I’d brought with me to Deacon’s house along with the high heels I’d worn to the wedding. At the time, it had been a whim on the off chance I might need to dress up. Now they added a touch of elegance to the jeans I had on. I’d take any edge to ease my nerves.

But what worked the best at easing my nerves was thinking back to my incredible morning with Deacon. He’d helped me regain my confidence, and I wasn’t about to let anyone, especially not my soon-to-be ex-husband, steal it from me ever again.

Lawrence flashed me a reassuring smile. In his expensive suit and shoes, an outfit that probably cost more than my mortgage payment, he appeared every bit the high-priced lawyer. “You sure you’re okay going in there alone?”

Although he could ethically represent me in legal matters, it was murky for him to assist me in the coming confrontation. Therefore, he’d agreed to wait outside.

But before I could beard the lion in his den, a familiar, exotic car drove up. Deacon. He was the last person I’d expected to see here.

He got out of the car looking anxious.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I wanted to be here for you in case you needed me.” He turned to shake Lawrence’s hand. “Are you going in there with her?”

Looking amused, Lawrence shook his head. “I really can’t. But you could.”

It was tempting to bring Deacon along, but this was something I needed to do on my own. Not only did I want to continue my journey of taking back control, but he would be on a plane come tomorrow. I couldn’t get used to having him in my corner.

“Thanks, but I need to handle this one by myself.”

He appeared disappointed but nodded. “Of course.”

I hadn’t been to the bar since they’d signed the lease, so it was strange to walk in and see it built out with the space taking shape. But I experienced no emotional reaction to seeing Jeff’s dream come to life. Instead, to my relief, I was officially detached from it all.

I didn’t see anyone inside until I reached the back. There, several men in suits were gathered around a table studying blueprints and swatches with different color palettes.

All gazes swung to me. Jeff’s eyes went wide. “What the hell are you doing here, Andrea?”

Oh shit. I hadn’t expected such a large audience. I hoped the shake stayed out of my voice. “Given I’m part owner now, I thought I’d drop in to take a peek.”

An older gentleman with silver hair and beard squinted. I recognized him as being one of the other investors. “What is she talking about, Jeff?”

Pasting on a smile, I drew in a deep breath to steady myself. “Oh, he didn’t tell you? Guess it must’ve slipped his mind. His investment money came from refinancing our home, and since that is jointly owned, it means half of the hundred thousand he put up is my money, so I’m a five percent owner. Of course, after the divorce, I can sell my shares to anyone I choose.”

The three other men at the table started arguing. Jeff, looking irate, took my elbow to lead me to the side. “You come in here when I’m meeting with the other owners? To what, embarrass me?”

It hadn’t been my intention, but if it put more pressure on him, perhaps it was a good thing. “This is what you asked for when you threatened to fight over every single thing, including my dog. So let’s fight.”

He appeared a combination of shocked and furious. “This isn’t you.”

“You keep saying that to me, and I agree that it didn’t use to be me. But thanks to you dropping a grenade into our marriage and then having the nerve to treat me as if I deserved the affair with your callous attitude, this is what you get. A woman who isn’t about to lie down and take it.”

“The bar is my dream.” He used the cajoling tone which had always gotten him his way. But not this time.

“Then I suggest you agree to sell the house, pay me back the hundred thousand out of the sale, not fight me on Callie, and be overly generous regarding the furniture and other items I request.”

“Paula and I are in a big fight.” He actually had the nerve to sound hurt. What did he think I would do—comfort him?

“I don’t care.” I really didn’t. Maybe he actually loved her, maybe he didn’t. Neither alternative made a difference to me. The man in front of me had never put me or our marriage first. Hadn’t honored his vows. Hadn’t kept his promises. And I deserved better.

“You and Deacon are for real, huh?”

Real at least until he left tomorrow morning. “None of your business. This is about the bar, the house, and Callie. Nothing else. I want this settled as quickly as possible. You won’t win in court, and you certainly won’t win in the public eye.”