“Adam!” I all but shriek. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
To my surprise, he takes a step back, holding up both hands. “I just want to talk.”
Narrowing my gaze, I say, “So talk.” No way am I letting him into the office where I’d be alone with him. I hang the tote bag over one shoulder, fold my arms across my chest, and wait.
He wipes a bead of sweat off his forehead but obviously realizes he’s not getting into my air-conditioned office because he starts speaking immediately. “I was fired.”
“Good.” And not a surprise, I think, as I wait for the explosion of his temper, hoping Kaylee comes in early today, too.
“You reported me, I assume? My supervisor didn’t say who complained, just that it was enough for her to know I’m a liability and not an asset.”
I narrow my gaze and curl my fingers around my keys, knowing I have nothing on me to use for defense. Then again, he’s not angry, sarcastic, or mean. Not yet. “Why are you so calm?”
He runs a hand over his face. “I fucked up.”
“Which time?” I ask him. He narrows his gaze and I hold up one hand. “Sorry. Go on.” I shouldn’t be antagonizing him while he seems civil.
“I’ve been an arrogant ass. When you said no to my proposal, I snapped. I thought we belonged together—”
“It had been six months, and I’d given you no indication I was ready for that.”
He nods. “I realize that now.”
“Adam, I have to ask. What’s with the nice guy act?”
I try to think if I’ve seen this side of him when we started dating, and I honestly can’t remember. I never considered us to be serious, although when I date someone, I’m exclusive. I’m not the type of woman to jump from man to man.
“When my supervisor let me go, she told me I had talent in my field and that she’d give me a good reference, but she couldn’t have me working for the museum anymore.” He pauses, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. “I was pissed. Went to the nearest bar and drank until I couldn’t stand.”
I wince.
“I don’t remember calling my father for a ride, but apparently, I did. When I woke up in my childhood bed, I looked in the mirror, and I didn’t like what I saw.” He hesitates, then says, “Neither did my family. And they sat me down to tell me about it.”
“That couldn’t have been easy.”
He shakes his head. “I took a ride along A1A and stopped to look at the ocean. And I realized I could go on the way I have been, thinking I was God’s gift to women—though frankly, only my mother believes that—or I could wake up, get my act together, and try to be a decent man.” He pauses. “I’m going with trying to being the good guy for once.”
My mouth parts in surprise. “I don’t know what to say.” Or whether to believe him.
“I don’t blame you. But I came to apologize. Explain. And to tell you I took a job at a museum in California. I think distance is good right now.”
There’s so much to digest from this conversation that I don’t know where to begin. I could start with, is he really leaving? Am I finished dealing with him in any way?
I meet his gaze. “I wish you well, Adam.” It’s all I can manage.
“Thank you. Same to you, Rainey. Be well.”
I watch as he walks down the street, and I hope that’s the last I see of my ex.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Rainey
Afew weekslater, the day of the Thunder anniversary party arrives, and I thought I’d be a nervous bundle of energy. Instead, I’m calm and determined. I’d slept at Lucas’s last night and we took two cars to the club this morning. He lets us inside where I wait for Kaylee, Ashlynn, the two assistants we use for parties, and the electrician and handyman who will help with setup. The florist is due to show up in a few hours before the party begins. It’s a well-choreographed affair, one we’ve done before, but never with so much at stake, at least for me.
The girls are setting up the goodie bags on a large table. I’m still excited about the vintage merch we’ve put inside each. Kaylee and I watch the handyman set up the banners, and I do my best not to get upset we don’t have the tapestries because they would have been stunning. But when the banners are set around the room with the spotlight over each, I take it in and I can breathe. They stand out just as I’d hoped and everyone who walks in will notice them.
“Looking good!” Kaylee puts her arm around my shoulders. “I have to say, glitches and all, this place is perfection.”
