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He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I just feel like a trap’s about to spring. Maybe I shouldn’t have offered her the settlement.”
After our talk with Charlie at Thanksgiving about six months ago, Tanner did some investigating and learned Natalia’s sole income stream was indeed the money he provided her, and that she hadn’t set up any kind of savings account in case of an emergency. So he was able to cut her off and serve the divorce papers, knowing it would make it incredibly difficult for her to contest it again.
But as desperate as the situation had become, this wasn’t something Tanner was thrilled about doing. He felt sneaky and underhanded, and despite everything she’s put him through, he was also really unsettled by the thought of Natalia being stranded outside the country, suddenly cut off from all sources of cash.
So when she inevitably called to bitch him out, he told her she could either try to contest the divorce again, but if she couldn’t get it done within thirty days she’d walk away with nothing; or she could agree and accept a generous settlement. Needless to say, we were all insanely relieved when the papers came back with her agreement and signature.
But there’s still this one last step of confirming the settlement. It’s something the lawyers could have wrapped up on their own, but Natalia insisted on being here so Tanner has to be as well. And I wasn’t about to let him come alone.
“You offered her the settlement because you’re generous, and caring, and you never would have been comfortable leaving her with nothing even though she probably deserves it.”
I kiss his lips and he hesitates for a moment before kissing me back, the tension slowly leaking out of his body.
“Ahh, sorry to interrupt,” I hear a familiar voice say from behind us.
Jolting in surprise, I break away from Tanner to find Skyler standing in the doorway of the waiting room, a wry grin on his face. “Just wanted to let you know that they’re here. But I can tell them to wait if you guys want to keep going…”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks, Skyler.”
I rise from the sofa and grab Tanner’s hand as he follows me to his feet. “One meeting,” I tell him. “It’s just one little meeting, and then this will all be over. And afterwards I’ll give you a BJ that makes your head spin aroundExorcistbaby-style.”
He lets out a breath of laughter. “Because a boner’s exactly what I need right now.”
I grin and kiss his cheek, then we follow Skyler through the hallways of the law offices and into a meeting room.
There are four people already there: Leona, and a guy named Greg, who is the firm’s divorce specialist and has been handling the settlement deal. They sit on one side of the table, and opposite them is a woman in her mid-thirties and a crisp-looking guy in an expensive suit who I can only assume is her lawyer.
So this is Natalia.
Tanner and I take seats on the same side of the table as his lawyers, and I try my best to be discreet as I examine the woman who’s been making my boyfriend’s life miserable for years.
I’m not sure what I was expecting; devil horns, maybe? Or maybe a total diva who’d be flashing bling with every movement and making demands for more and more money? I thought there’d at least be some resting bitch face…
But she seems completely normal. Her mousy brown hair is up in a simple ponytail; her make up is natural and understated, and she’s wearing a simple green and white dress.
She doesn’t look at Tanner at all as his lawyer reiterates the details of the settlement, her eyes fixed on the shiny surface of the meeting table. I can’t help thinking that she seems sad, and tired, and despite myself I can’t help feeling kind of sorry for her. I know she doesn’t deserve any sympathy after the way she’s behaved, but I’ve learned enough over the past few months to know the situation’s not completely black and white.
“So, we’re all agreed?” Greg asks once he’s finished going over everything.
Natalia nods wordlessly.
“Agreed,” her lawyer says.
Once the formalities have been taken care of, the lawyers start to file out. I know there’s something else Tanner needs from Natalia, though, so I’m not surprised when he doesn’t rush to get out of there.
But I am a little surprised to see Natalia lingering back as well. She finally manages to look at Tanner as she speaks for the first time since we entered the room. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Tanner nods curtly, and when her eyes flick to me, he cuts off any request for me to leave at the pass. “Deacon stays.”
She nods and averts her gaze again, clearly struggling to look at Tanner. “I just…I wanted you to know that I’m seeing someone. A therapist, I mean. I’m not trying to make excuses or anything, but I just wanted you to know that I’m trying.” She shakes her head, her features tightening in regret. “I really don’t want to be that vindictive, destructive bitch. I don’t even know how I got there…I just…”
“I hope the therapy helps,” Tanner says gently. “I’m glad you told me.”
She nods, her features seeming to relax a little now that she’s got that out there.
“I need you to sign something else for me,” Tanner says, reaching inside his suit jacket and retrieving a folded document.
He hands it over to Natalia, who takes it warily.
