Page 57 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

I smiled to myself, though it turned to a frown when he called again. He would just keep calling, and as therapeutic as denying him was, I didn’t want to be doing it all night.

Besides, ignoring two out of three calls was progress.

“Hello.”

“Hey, how are you, Pip?”

I cringed at the nickname. “What’s up, Adam?”

“Just calling to check in. See how your week was.”

“Fine.”

“That’s it?” He chuckled. “Fine? You used to tell me all about your day.”

“I did. When we were married. But we’re not married anymore.”

“That wasn’t my choice.”

“Yes. It was.” My voice stayed cold and calm. “You kissed another woman. That was your choice. Surely there’s a picture hashtagged out there somewhere.” #cheatingbastard maybe?

“It was just a kiss.”

“Was it?”

“I didn’t—you know what? I don’t want to fight. I just miss you. That’s all. You live on the other side of the country. It’s just a phone call to check in.”

I sighed. “Okay.”

“How is work? How’s Logan?”

“Good. He’s happy.” Adam hadn’t ever really gotten along with Logan. I think because he was jealous of how much I admired my boss.

“Great. That’s great.”

There was an awkward silence as I waited for the question I knew was coming. All the curiosity about my job and Logan was just Adam’s way of biding his time. What he really wanted to know was if I was dating someone.

“So . . . who’s this guy you’re seeing?”

Called it! Adam was like a little kid and someone had just stolen his favorite toy. Well, Kaine hadn’t really stolen me. But Adam didn’t need to know that. ?

??A man I met out here.”

“Is it serious?”

“No,” I admitted.

“Oh.” He sounded too chipper. “I was thinking about coming out to Montana.”

“What?” I gasped.

This was my place. My safe place. I didn’t want Adam out here, filling it with memories of what I’d left behind.

“We should talk, Pip. Really talk. So much has happened, I feel like we need some closure. Or maybe even a fresh start.”

I opened my mouth but no words came out. A fresh start? Did he actually think there was a chance for us to get past everything that had happened?

Our marriage had been riddled with problems, fundamental issues I’d ignored for much too long. And one by one, they’d revealed themselves since the day I’d asked for a divorce.