Page 30 of For One Night

“I’ll be there by four.” Her words are so soft, I wonder if it’s more for my heart. “Are you alright?”

“I’m going to be.”

She giggles. “You sure the hell are, baby.”

“Alright, I need to make a few more calls.” I sigh, but this time, I’m smiling.

“Where are you now?”

I pause, staring up at the building. “Work.”

“The hell you say! Why?” I hold the phone away from my ear.

“I need my job,” I huff. “I don’t have a home or car. I called a taxi to get here.”

A deep growl echoes through the receiver. “Fucker!”

“It’s my fault. I should’ve handled my life better.”

“I guess,” she mumbles. “Do you have a place to stay yet?”

“Hotel until I can find something I can afford.” I scan the area, making sure no one is listening. “I’m also going to need a new job; no way can I continue to work here with him.”

“Agreed!”

I shake my shoulders lose and prepare myself to go inside. “Okay, I need to get this day started. I’m already late.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours. Hang in there.”

I bite my lip, releasing it slowly. “By the way, don’t tell my parents yet. I’ll call you!”

“I’ll be here.” I place my phone in my purse as she ends the call.

I straighten my dress and pull the door open. With my head held high, I keep my eyes forward and march to my office. I step through the door to find my boss sitting at my desk.

“Good morning, Lola.” Mr. Fitz stands. “Please, come join us.”

“Good morning.” Us? Son of a bitch. I pretend to smile as I walk in, taking a seat as Laura sits in the chair to my right. “Laura.” I nod as she smiles politely.

He sits, folding his hands on the desk. “I asked Laura to be here because of the sensitive nature.”

“Sensitive nature? Of what?” I cut my eyes between them.

He moves his hands, patting a file on the desk. “Well, Lola, there seems to be an issue with you and several women here.”

“What’s the problem?” My jaw sets as I ready for the bullshit about to be shoveled my way.

Laura takes my hand, patting it. “Carter told us about the divorce, but you need to understand, you can’t accuse every woman he comes in contact with of having an affair with him.”

I literally force my mouth to stay closed until I can form a sentence. “Let me be clear…”

“You don’t have to acknowledge or deny,” Mr. Fitz interrupts.

I laugh at the absurdity. “If I may, I know what’s happening, and if I’m going down, I’ll say what I want. I’m divorcing him. No matter how many lies he tells or the bullshit he sells, we know the truth.” I stand, placing my purse in the chair. “If you’ll both excuse me, I need to clean out my office.”

“We have a severance check ready for you.” Mr. Fitz pulls the envelope from the file. “I’m happy to give you a reference at anytime.”

I force another smile. “Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll leave my key with security.”