I clench my thighs together under the desk.
Me:You’re right. I think I do need the reminder.
Rhonan:I definitely know that your pussy is my favorite meal now.
Me:Rhonan, I’m at work. You can’t do this to me, get me all riled up when I’m not going to see you tonight.
Rhonan:I’m fucking hard right now too, baby. But just think of how good it’s going to be when I get you alone Saturday night. Fuck, I miss you already.
Me:I miss you too.
Rhonan:Have fun tonight and be safe. I can’t have anything happening to you. Not under my watch.
Those aren’t the exact words that have been on a loop in my mind, but for Rhonan? I’m not sure how much closer he could get to telling me how he feels.
Me:I will. I promise. You be safe too.
Rhonan:Always. Have a good rest of your day, baby.
Me:You too.
I place my phone on my desk and inhale the rest of the sandwich until that pest of a thought about my ex from earlier comes back to me. Picking up my phone again, I find the number I’m looking for and press call.
“Vienna?” Elliot answers after the third ring. “Everything okay?”
“I want you to send the papers, Elliot,” I say while wiping my face free of sauce from the sandwich.
He blows out a breath. “Okay. Are you sure?”
My eyes land back on the clock on the computer, realizing I only have five minutes left before the end of lunch when I have to go pick up my students again from the playground.
“Yes, Elliot. Send them.”
“But what about…”
“I don’t care anymore. I can’t hide forever, and I need to put that part of my life behind me.”
I can hear the rustling of papers in the background through the phone. “Have you told Rhonan yet?”
“No, but I’m planning on it. Soon. Maybe after the wedding… I don’t know.” I bite my thumb. “Do you think he’s going to be mad?”
“I mean, you told him that you were married, but stillbeingmarried is a pretty important detail.”
Sighing, I fight back my tears. “I know, Elliot. And I’m so sorry for putting you in the middle of this. I just needed someone who might understand and someone that could help me get out of this nightmare I was living in for far too long.”
“I told you that day in my office that I do understand, Vienna, especially given who your husband is. The Cassidy family is powerful and if Cole behaved the way you said he did when you told him you were leaving, I don’t blame you for being cautious. But I think if Rhonan knows, you’ll feel better too. Plus, I hate keeping something like this from him.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “You’re right. I promise, I’m going to tell him.”
“If you need some support when you tell him, let me know. I have no problem being there for you.”
“You’re a good man, Elliot Thorne.”
“Not so sure about that, but Rhonan is one of the best people on the planet and having you in his life has made part of him come alive again. Even though love didn’t work out for me, I still want to see my friend get what he deserves.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll let you know when the papers have been delivered.”
