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Turning on my heel, I headed toward the door, smiling as she called my name. I didn’t respond, just listened to her heels click on the floor as she ran after me.
Her volume dropped to a whisper-hiss as we passed the front desk. “Brendan. Don’t walk away from me!”
“I’m not.” I turned and smiled as she nearly ran into my chest. I steadied her with hands around her biceps, and dear god, it was like the past eight years had disappeared. The feel of her. Her scent. If lust alone would have been enough to keep us together…
I cleared my throat and released her arms. “I’m letting you get back to work. We’ll talk later over dinner.”
“The only place I want to talk to you is a lawyer’s office!”
I didn’t respond. Pushing through the door, I listened to her call my name three more times as I slipped on my sunglasses and rubbed my knuckles over the ache in my chest as I headed toward my car.
Dammit. Seeing her again had been harder than I’d expected.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I opened the door and saw her with all those women, she was only a shadow of the woman that I used to know. The beautifully wild blonde hair that used to flow down her back was pulled up and tightly pinned against her head. Instead of those skin-tight jeans and snarky graphic t-shirts she used to favor, she was in a pair of dull-gray dress pants and a flowy black blouse.
God, I could still picture her sauntering around the kitchen in a tiny yellow polka-dotted thong and a cropped yellow t-shirt featuring bright red painted lips that said Kiss This. When I asked her where I should kiss, she gave me that cocky smile and pointed to right where she wanted my lips.
I’d made her come right up against the kitchen counter while our pancakes burned and the coffee grew cold.
Shit.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was even a spark of that wildfire still inside her. She’d been so put-together, so calm and collected while she talked to those women. It made sense. We were both older and more mature. She was pursuing a professional career, but this wasn’t just the result of passing time. She wore that professional aura like a mask.
But when she was chasing after me, I could see a flicker of the old her, and I wanted to stoke that ember until we were both on fire.
Five more hours.
Maybe I’d see that fire later this evening. Maybe I wouldn’t.
I wasn’t sure which I should hope for the most.
***
I pulled back up to the building at six. It didn’t surprise me one bit to find her outside waiting for me. Her arms were crossed as she leaned against the brick and tapped her toe in annoyance.
“I’m not late,” I said as I got out of the car.
Glaring at me, she hurried down the steps to meet me. “You’re almost a decade too late. I made a few phone calls while I was at work. A friend recommended a law firm that’s nearby. If we hurry, we can make it before they close and get some advice on how best to clear up this mess.”
Grabbing her elbow, I steered her around and toward my car. “Forget the lawyers. We’re going to dinner.”
Every cell in her body seemed to bristle. “I already told you, I am not having dinner with you. I want a divorce.”
“And you’ll get your divorce, but first we’re going to have a civil conversation over a meal.”
Sighing, she yanked away and glared at me. Pursing her lips, she frowned, and I could see the wheels in her head turning. What was the fastest way to get rid of me? Give me what I wanted. “Fine, but I don’t want to drive with you. I’ll take an Uber.”
“And risk you running off to the lawyers without me? I don’t think so. Let’s go have dinner, and then you can order your damn car when we leave.”
“Fine.” She turned around and stared at the BMW. Grumbling, she let me open the door and climbed in. Whistling to myself, I jogged around the car and slid in behind the wheel.
“What are you in the mood for? Italian? Chinese? Steakhouse? Pizza?”
“I’m in the mood for someone who will serve us a nice juicy divorce. How did this happen, Brendan? How can we possibly still be married? This is a nightmare!”
Starting the car, I turned down the radio and pulled out into traffic. I was tempted to take her to some place that would stir up old memories, but I didn’t want to push it. “It obviously hasn’t affected you for the past few years. Are you about to walk down the aisle or something?” My stomach churned at the thought of her being with another man. Ridiculous, I knew. She’d probably been with countless men since I last saw her.
