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“Do you want to talk about Eli? I know seeing him has rocked your world and not in a good way.” She made a pouty face, compassion in her eyes.
I shook my head and took a large gulp of wine. Davina was a sweetheart, but I knew she really didn’t want to hear about Eli. She had seen me at my worst after the divorce. Eli was not a topic she would enjoy.
For months after I’d moved to Southern California, I’d spent many weekends under the covers crying my eyes out. My sweet cousin had stuck by me, comforting and distracting me and making sure I ate.
I’d lost fifteen pounds within the first six months post-divorce. It took me nearly two years before I attempted to date.
Each one had ended miserably. I compared the guy to Eli, unfairly judging him and critiquing his mannerisms. After the fourth date, I stopped trying altogether, figuring I needed more time.
A tornado of emotions whirled inside me: anger, fear, joy, desire. Yeah, the last one pissed me off the most. Eli could always turn me molten with lust without even trying. Our chemistry and attraction were unique compared to other couples I’d observed. We were a rarity. Freaking amazing together.
But none of it had been enough to hold us together.
Eli was a focused and driven career man.
I was a stubborn, impatient woman.
When we clashed, it was of epic proportions.
Hell, everything we had done before the divorce had been of epic proportions.
“You’re lost in your thoughts. I’m guessing Eli is at the center of them.”
I laid my head on Davina’s shoulder and nodded, stuffing another handful of popcorn into my mouth. She knew me too well. It made no sense to deny the truth.
“What am I going to do?”
“He said he’s not here to hurt you.”
My eyes went wide as I lifted my head and stared at Davina. “You talked to him?”
She sighed. “Unfortunately.”
“Why is this the first I’m hearing about it?”
“Because it was an unpleasant experience.”
“If he talked to you, then it was before he came to my office and tried to get fresh with me.”
“Fresh? Nobody uses that word anymore. And why didn’t you tell me he went to your office?” She hiked an accusatory eyebrow.
I sank down into the cushions. “Because it was unpleasant.” I threw her words back at her. And because Eli aroused me. She didn’t need to know that part.
I gazed at Olivia Pope, strutting down the hallway to see Fitz. The way she swung her hips with attitude was mesmerizing. I wanted to shout,Stop! Don’t go into his office. He’ll just screw with your head and make you feel emotions you don’t want to feel.Of course, those were all things I should listen to as well.
“Mhm. Eli is unpleasant. We both should steer clear of him.”
“If only that was possible.” If only I wanted to stay away from my ex-husband. My life had been depressing without him. Eli had always treated me well, and we had fun together… when he was around.
What was I doing?
Eli had put his career before me. He had worked an obscene amount of hours and placated me when I complained about it. Gifts and flowers didn’t replace the loneliness I’d felt when he wasn’t home. His claims of doing it for us, for our future, had grown tiresome. I had needed my husband. I had wanted to start a family, but Eli refused. To the point of using a condom every time we had sex. The bossy son of a bitch.
“He seemed different.”
I turned to Davina. Her comment gave me pause. I’d noticed a change too, something I couldn’t put my finger on. “How so?”
“Like he’s grown up. I honestly think he won’t give up until he gets you back.”
