“Right. Sure you don’t.”
Phillip put the papers down on the table in front of him and shook his head, putting on a flat, emotionless expression. “Look, I just want to sell the condo and move on with our lives.”
I nodded once. “I’m sure you do. I bet you felt the same way when you and Matt broke up.”
His features froze and his chest rose as he took a slow breath. “Matt?”
Anger surged through me, emboldening me. “Fuck you, Phillip. Don’t play dumb.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I—”
I held up a hand to stop him. “I spoke to Matt. He said it’s not the first time you’ve pulled this shit. This pathetic, secret attempt to trap a boyfriend into marrying you. But I’m here to tell you, itwillbe the last.”
Kieran shifted in his seat next to me, but didn’t speak. I cut my gaze over to him and he was stone-faced and nodding.
Daniel cleared his throat and spoke up, for the first time that day. “He’s not trying to trap you into anything. Don’t be stupid.”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. “Either you’re lying or you’re delusional. Either way, I’m here to tell you I found the marriage clause in the last contract. It said very clearly that if I wanted my half of the money from selling the condo, I’d have to marry him and we’d have to stay married for at least a year. And when I spoke to Matt—another ex of Phillip’s—he confirmed almost this exact scenario happened to him, too.”
Phillip sniffed again. “So, what? You want me to sign this contract without havingmyattorney read through it?”
I laughed again, a darker sound. “I don’t really care who you need to look it over. If you need me to let you review it further, fine. So be it. But if that’s the case, we’re going to meet downtown at Ron Dixon’s office. He’s the lawyer who drew up this version.
“I guess I’ll see you there, then.” Phillip snatched the contract off the table and stood, nearly knocking his chair over. “Let’s go, Daniel.”
With that, they stormed out of Bean There, leaving Kieran and me to chuckle into our coffees.
“Success,” he said through his laughter.
I nodded before taking a sip of my drink, feeling lighter than I had in ages. “Success.”
***
The next day, around lunchtime, my phone alarm went off, reminding me I had an important meeting in town, one I couldn’t afford to miss. I’d already let Max know I needed to leave early, but I flagged him down to tell him I was leaving. Before I got in my car, I looked around and found Asher. He was bending down and installing trim pieces along one wall. I closed my eyes and tried not to imagine my hands on him, but theharder I tried, the less successful I was. Instead, I put the key in the ignition and headed to the lawyer’s office.
I was lucky to find street parking close to the office, and I parked right outside the front door, killing the engine. I sat for a few long moments, telling myself this was good. This was the end of the Phillip saga. After today, I’d never have to see him again, ever. Eventually, I slid out of the driver’s seat and made my way to the office door.
Phillip sat just inside, looking annoyed as usual, Daniel by his side. I gave the two of them a small, polite smile before taking a seat on the other side of the waiting area. The receptionist gave me a bright smile.
“Mr. Pollard, it’s good to see you again. I’ll let Ron know everyone’s here.” She picked up the phone and dialed, pausing a second before speaking. “Your meeting is here. Yes. Right. Not a problem.” When she hung up, she gave me another sincere smile before turning to Phillip and Daniel. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, Mr. Dixon is only able to speak with the parties involved in the contract.” Phillip opened his mouth to argue, brow furrowed, but she held up a hand and shook her head firmly. “No exceptions.”
Feeling triumphant already, I led the way down the hall to Ron’s office. “After you,” I insisted, stepping back to let Phillip enter before me. This way I could box him in by sitting closer to the door. Maybe he’d feel as trapped as he’d made me feel in the past.
Ron smiled at us and nodded. “Gentlemen.”
Phillip immediately leaned forward and rested his forearms on Ron’s desk. “Look—”
Ron held up a hand. “I’ve received the edits from your representation. I’ve looked them over and I think we’re finally on the same page. I’d advise you to sign this, Mr. Mercer.”
Phillip narrowed his eyes. “I don’t have to sign anything.”
“Correct. But if you don’t, we’re prepared to pursue you civilly for coercion and for the contract you presented, demanding illegal actions be taken by my client unbeknownst to him. This contract is fair and balanced. It’s all aboveboard. Legal. All you have to do is sell the shared property and remit fifty percent of the proceeds to Mr. Pollard within thirty days of closing. Nothing else is required ofeitherof you.”
For a long, long time, Phillip didn’t speak. He set his jaw and exhaled through his nose slowly. When he did speak, it was very quiet. “Fine. Give me a pen.”
Ron passed Phillip a pen. “There are flags for each place you need to sign.”
Triumph roared through me as I watched Phillip angrily scribble his signature on each page required of him. When he was done, he passed the pen to me and I signed the same pages.
