Page 2 of Falling for Her

“If you don’t call me, I’m calling you,” she threatens.

“Don’t worry about me. You’re having a baby, so you have your own things to worry about.” My heart soars for her, knowing how happy she is about this. “Focus on that and your man.” I picture her smile when I mention her boyfriend, Theo.

“Call me,” she urges, but is interrupted by a siren. Collins works as a paramedic and must be at the station. “I have to go.”

“I will,” I assure her. She disconnects before I can say anything else.

I stare out into the distance until my eyes get tired. Going inside, I sit on the couch, waiting for Davis to get home. The minutes tick by, turning into hours, and finally, a little after 1:00 a.m., the elevator door opens.

He steps out wearing the black suit he had on this morning, but his shirt is untucked, and only two buttons are closed. In one hand, he has his suit jacket. His head is down, and only when I clear my throat does he notice me. “What the hell are you doing up?”

“I was waiting for you.” I rise and walk to the kitchen island.

“I told you not to do that,” he snaps as he steps into the dining room.

I turn to face him again, seeing the smear of lipstick across his neck. I wait for the pain to hit me, but it just leaves me hollow. “Well, I don’t really listen to anything you tell me to do, so why start now?” I hold out the papers to him, and he grabs them from me.

He tosses his jacket onto the table as he unfolds the documents. He reads the top, and I know right away when he sees the part that says divorce, because his head snaps up and he looks at me furiously. “What the fuck is this?”

“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. Two months ago, I told you I wanted a divorce. I tried to do it amicably, but, well, if you think this is a joke, it’s not.” I fold my arms over my chest. “You can’t run away now because you’ve been served. You can’t hide anymore. Everything you need to know is there in the papers. You can see yourself out.” I turn and start to walk to my room. “You can have your lawyer contact mine.”

“To hell with that.” He grabs my arm as I try to walk past him. “I don’t accept this.” He holds up the papers then throws them on the table. “No fucking way will I accept this.”

“I don’t think you have a choice.” I rip my arm out of his hand, ignoring how it throbs from his grip.

“I have been telling you since you said you wanted a divorce that I would only give it to you under one condition. I want your trust fund, and only then will I sign the papers.”

“That is never going to happen, and you know it. I’m going to bed. I hope when I get up tomorrow, you’ll be gone. This time for good.” I rush out of the room and to my bedroom. Hearing the sound of a vase being shattered, I lock the door behind me. I want to kick myself for not bringing my phone in with me. I listen as if my life depends on it, and then I hear the ping of the elevator.

I unlock the door and stick my head out to see if I can see him. The vase of roses I had on the table is smashed, and suddenly, I don’t feel safe in my own home. I snatch up my phone and step around all the glass, spotting the papers on the floor. I run to my closet, grabbing just my purse. Then I’m pressing the button to go straight down to the parking garage.

I look right and left as the sound of my heavy breathing fills my ears until I spot where the doorman parked my SUV. My hands shake as I unlock the door and get in. Locking it right away, I start it and practically peel out of there. Only when I’m out of the garage do I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t even know where I’m going, but I call Collins.

She answers after one ring. “Finley?”

“Were you sleeping?” I look at the clock.

“No, I’m on duty for another hour.”

“I just left him.” I feel the wetness hit my cheeks, not because I’m sad but because I’m angry that he’s not just going to go away. I should have fucking known that love wasn’t a thing.

“Where are you going?”

“I have no idea,” I admit to her, driving aimlessly through the streets that are almost deserted. “I just can’t be there when he comes back.”

“Come here,” she urges. “I want you to come here.”

“Are you sure?” I ask her and pull the car over.

“Yes.”

“Thank you,” I say softly.

After we disconnect, I look out into the darkness of the night. One of these days, I’ll find a home I can go back to.

CHAPTER ONE

LINCOLN