“You idiot.” She berated herself as she pulled away and drove to her office. “How could you have caved like that?” she asked herself, then answered herself, “Because you never stopped loving him, that’s why. You probably never will, either.”
Back at the office, she made sure her makeup looked okay, there was nothing she could do about her red nose or eyes. But everyone in the office now knew that she was going through a divorce. She was grateful no one tried to set her up with anyone to get over her husband. She doubted she’d ever date again. Her personal life sucked so much right now. She walked into her building and Brian looked up, took one look at her, rushed to her side, took her into her office, and in minutes, she had a cup of hot tea before her.
“Thanks, Brian. It didn’t go well. I ended up sitting there the whole time lost in my own head. I lost it and screamed at Lincoln about the miscarriage. Then I screamed at the counselor and basically called him a worthless cow. Link found me sitting in my truck bawling my eyes out. He was nice, he held me andlet me cry, then asked if I was okay medically, asked if I needed anything and where was I staying.”
“Did you tell him?”
“I did. I said I was okay and that I was staying at the office.” She looked over and gave a deep sigh. “I’ve got to start looking for a place to live. I can’t live out of my suitcases for much longer.”
“Want me to call around and see what’s available?”
“Sure, but I don’t want to be locked into a year’s lease. Something month to month. And preferably furnished.”
“How much space do you need?”
Addy couldn’t help it, she laughed and looked around her office and spread her arm. “Not much. That’s everything I own. So a one-bedroom or studio would be fine. Preferably close to the office.” They continued to discuss her requirements for payment and it wasn’t long before their clients showed up.
“How do I look?”
“Here,” Brian said, and as she opened the door, he stuck his suit jacket in her face. She immediately began sneezing.
“What the hell?” she demanded between sneezes. “Do you have a dog?”
“I do. But now you have an excuse for your eyes being red.” He grinned. He knew she was allergic to dogs, but her allergy to them wasn’t as bad as her husband’s to cats. So, they’d made a perfect couple that they couldn’t have any animals and couldn’t fight about it if the other wanted one.
“Excuse me,” Addy said as she finished a series of sneezes. They shook hands with Brian and when she returned she shook their hands apologizing about her allergies. After two hours, she walked them out with a grin at the check in her hand.
*****
Lincoln watched as his wife drove away from him, his emotions all over the place. “Son of a bitch.” He swore and began pacing the parking lot. It took him almost a half hour to calm down enough to be able to drive. He ended up driving out of town for almost an hour to clear his head, so when he arrived at his lawyer’s office, he had a clear head and clear plan of action. He felt better about his situation for the first time in weeks. Now that he had some information, he was ready to talk with Jackson and take action.
CHAPTER SIX
Three weeks later Addy looked up from her work when her door flew open, and Brian ran into her office all of a flutter. “Brian, are you okay?” She had never seen him act like this in the four years she’d known him. It started to cause alarm with her.
“Oh, I’m fine.” Brian actually giggled and waved his hand in front of his face. “Please, tell me you’re not seeing anyone.”
“What? Of course I’m not. I’m trying to get a divorce. Why would I see anyone?”
“Thank god.” He actually put his hands on his knees and bent down and began taking deep breaths. “Give me a second.” He wheezed out. A minute later he stood, grinned and was his normal self.
“What the hell just happened? I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“There’s a man out front asking for you. When Beth and I asked the nature of his visit, he’d only say it was personal. But girl, he’s hot, that is with a capital H-O-T.” He grinned and waved his hand before his chest. “I wanted to see if you were dating anyone. Because, girlfriend, I might give you come competition with this guy.”
“But you’re gay.”
“So, I can turn him if he’s not. Or at least give him the experience of his lifetime. Besides, once he’s had me, he may never go back to the dark side, and I’ll just have to keep him.” He grinned and Addy laughed.
“So, who is this guy?”
“No clue, he wouldn’t give me his name or even a card. But it’s not Lincoln. I know him. This guy is wearing a thousand-dollar suit, well-groomed and H-O-T. Smoking hot, like do menow hot.” He looked from beneath his lashes and sighed heavily. “Did I mention he was hot?”
Addy continued to laugh, with tongue in cheek, she asked, “A time or two. So, how long has it been?”
“Six months.” He sighed and then grinned.
“Why don’t you go introduce yourself and bring him back here?”
