Page 17 of Falling for Her

Davis:

I told you what you needed to do for me to leave.

Me:

Get the fuck out of here. We have a prenup. Why would I give you half my trust fund? I will never ever agree to that.

Davis:

You’ll be sorry about that.

Me:

I’ll be more sorry if I come back to you.

I block his number, take a screenshot of the texts, and send it to my lawyer.

Me:

Can you please see what we can do about this?

The only thing that Davis was a pro at, besides trying to screw me over, was schmoozing anyone. He literally could sell ice to someone who lived in an igloo. It made me think of the Wizard of Oz scene when the dog opened the curtain, and the wizard tried to hide his true appearance. I thought that I loved him, and I thought he loved me. I thought wrong. So very, very wrong. He was even in debt when we got married, but I was so in love with him that I didn’t care. I just paid off the credit cards so we could start off fresh. The red flags were all there, I was just so blinded by the ruse that I didn’t see it.

Putting the car in drive, I make my way over to Lincoln’s house. I see lights on, so I know he’s up. I mean, obviously, with a child, he would be up. I type, What time does an eight-year-old wake up? into my phone. Around the time they need to be at school, is the response. I skim the article. It recommends nine to eleven hours of sleep. Damn, I wish I were an eight-year-old kid.

I get out of the car and head to the front door before I change my mind. I think about ringing, but if Asa is still sleeping, I might wake him, so instead I knock lightly. I’ll give him a minute. If he doesn’t answer, I can always go to my apartment and drop my bag off now that I have the code. I tap my finger on my leg, waiting. I hear footsteps and then the door opens, and I’m greeted by Lincoln dressed in black cargo pants and a black T-shirt tucked into the waist.

“Hey,” he says, “come in.”

“Sorry, I know you said come at seven thirty, but I was up and figured I might as well get the day started. If you want some alone time with Asa, I can go and put my bag away.”

“No, it’s fine. I was just making coffee.” I follow him into the house. “Asa is still sleeping.”

“Okay.” There’s a to-go cup on the counter. “That’s fine, I guess I can . . .” I look around, not sure what I can possibly do since he’s sleeping.

“You could just sit and wait for him to wake up, I guess.” It sounds like he’s in a rush. “You have my cell number,” he pours coffee in his cup, “and I put some emergency numbers on the fridge.”

“I mean, I think nine-one-one is the big one, right?” He doesn’t laugh. “Wow, got it.”

“You call me first and then work your way down the list.”

“So if there is an emergency, I call you before I call nine-one-one?”

“Is it going to be like this all the time?” he asks me, turning the top of his insulated cup.

“I’m going to say yes to your question, but only because I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, and it’s better that you expect it and I not do it than the other way around.”

“I can’t get into this with you right now. I have to get going. I’ll be gone all day.”

“Well, that’s usually what happens when someone goes to work.”

His eyes narrow. “I won’t be in the area,” he clarifies between clenched teeth. “That’s what I mean.”

“Got it,” I confirm, trying not to poke the bear so early in the morning. “I will wait for him to get up.”

“Have him call me when he does.” He picks up his to-go cup. “Also, his mother will be calling in on his tablet. I think she said she’ll try to do it around nine our time.” I nod at him. “Call me if you need anything.” He walks out, shutting the door softly behind him.

“I will not be calling you if I need anything,” I tell the closed door. “I will be doing the opposite of that.”