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“I’d invite you around to ours, but Lainey…”
“It’s fine,” Michael told him. “I have too much to do, anyway.” He’d booked his return flight for Monday. There was no way he was missing it. And there was also no way he wanted to bump into his ex-wife. “But thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
There was a buzz at the front door of the office. Michael glanced at the clock. It was almost two a.m. Richard had agreed to work through the night with him if needed. This was important to them both.
But they were exhausted.
“Are you expecting somebody?” Michael asked, wondering if Richard had ordered some food.
“Nope. Let me look.” He straightened his bow tie – still perfectly knotted – and walked over to the main door. “Oh shit.”
“What?”
“It’s Lainey.”
Michael swallowed hard. He hadn’t spoken to his ex-wife since he’d come back. Actually, hadn’t spoken to her since their divorce. It had been fairly easy – they’d been together for such a short time and had no children – they’d both walked away with what they’d entered the marriage with.
“I’ll try to get rid of her,” Richard said, sighing. “I’m sorry. I told her you were here.”
“No, it’s fine. We were finished up and leaving anyway. If she wants to talk to me, we can do it on the way out.”
Richard caught his eye. “You sure?”
Michael nodded. “Yeah.” He stood and joined Richard at the door.
When it opened, his ex-wife walked in, looking like she’d been out somewhere for dinner. She was wearing a cocktail dress and a jacket, her hair immaculately swept up into a French pleat.
“I was driving past and saw the lights on,” she said. “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a burglar.”
“We were just leaving,” Richard told her. “You don’t need to worry.”
She didn’t answer. Just looked at Michael. He swallowed hard.
“Hello.” Her voice was low.
“Hello.” He gave her the smallest of smiles. “How are you?” Richard had told him that she had moved on. Was living with her boyfriend now. He was happy for her.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to talk with you for a minute.”
“You want me to stay?” Richard asked.
Michael wasn’t sure if he was talking to him or Lainey. They both shook their heads, though.
“In that case, I’m out of here. I’ll see you on Monday,” he told Michael.
“See you then.”
He waited for Richard to leave before looking at his ex-wife. “I was leaving, too. Shall I walk you to your car?”
She nodded. “I just wanted to see you.”
“Here I am.” Michael grabbed his car keys and his wallet, sliding them into his pocket. “I hear you’re doing well.”
Her lips twitched. “Yes.” She took a deep breath. “I heard you were moving back home. Richard told me you’d found someone, too.”
Richard had a big mouth. But then again, Michael hadn’t exactly tried to hide it. He’d been calling Grace daily from the office.
