“Sounds great! How about a tour? I bought the place, after all.” And then he took it upon himself to casually looking around, opening doors and peeking into her closets. She followed him up the stairs and tried to protest when he opened the door to her office. “It’s dark in here,” And then he strode to the window, threw back the drapes, and opened the blinds.
“Holy shit,” Kent sputtered.
Wrapping a bandage around Chaz’s naked chest, Nurse Francine wore a crop-top halter and barely there shorts, and was touching Chaz far more than the task required. As Penny made a move to close the curtains, Chaz looked across the way and caught her eye.
In the same moment, Kent caught her from behind and made an attempt to nuzzle her neck. Penny dropped her gaze and whipped the curtain closed. “There’s a reason for the blinds, Kent.” She squirmed out of his arms and slipped away from him.
“Lucky little shit.” Kent laughed, peeked out the drapes again, and let out a low whistle.
That was it. That was when she knew what she must do. “You need to leave.”
“Huh?” He was still a little distracted. “What?”
“Kent, we’re divorced now. You. Me. We’re over. You need to leave.”
“Why, because I appreciate a pretty girl?”
“No. Yes.” And then. “No. Because we don’t love each other anymore. If we loved each other, Megan wouldn’t have meant anything. But we don’t. And she did.” Penny pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you not to come, but I don’t want you here. You need to leave.”
She’d never said anything like this before. She’d thought about it. She’d rehearsed this sort of thing in her mind, but the thought of being alone had been paralyzing. And when she’d thought she had no other choice, being alone had nearly killed her.
She’d stopped living eight months ago, on Halloween.
If nothing else, Chaz had made her realize this. He’d given her attention, affection, and little bit of sexual healing.
She hadn’t ceased to be a woman when she’d caught her husband cheating. She’d simply ceased to be a wife.
“You don’t mean it.” He made a move toward her but she stepped backward.
“I do.” And then she met his eyes firmly and gave him a sad smile. “Goodbye, Kent.”
“You’ll be sorry, Penny. Don’t expect me to take you back after this.”
But she continued smiling sadly. “I won’t.”
He spun on his heels and left the room. She waited until his footsteps receded, the door slammed, and a car roared off.
She was alone.
Again.
But this time, she just might be okay.
CHAPTER TEN
Is That All There Is?
Sitting on hisbed, three days later, Chaz glanced out the window. She wouldn’t be there. He hadn’t seen her since the day she’d bolted from his house.
He presumed the asshat who’d been in the office with her was the ex. He’d had a slimy look on his face when he’d wrapped his arms around Penny, all the while ogling Francine. What had that been all about?
She’d said her divorce was final, hadn’t she? Or had he imagined that, hearing only what he wanted. Maybe they were only separated.
Damn, that had fallen apart quickly.
They’d had one night together. Less than twenty-four hours and it was over.
Chaz bent over and retrieved the barbell from the floor. He could hardly wait to get back in the gym. If only he could get Franny to leave.
