“Don’t come at me with your lawyer bullshit.”
He glanced up at her.“If you want lawyer bullshit, I’ll tell you all about the Domestic Violence Protection Act that allows me to request a domestic violence restraining order against anyone who comes to my place of business and disturbs my peace.I could have you served by the end of the day if you want me to act like a lawyer.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she said, her bravado seeming to waver somewhat.
“Try me.I’ve already gotten one restraining order slapped on a client’s husband today for the very same reason.The court doesn’t screw around when it comes to DV.”He came back around the desk and sat on the edge, crossing his arms and keeping his pose casual even as he seethed with anger.“Here’s how this is going to go… You’ll walk out that door, go straight to the elevator and press the down button.You’ll leave this building and never come back.You’ll never call me or text me, even on someone else’s phone, or show up at my door again.If you do, I’ll be in court so fast, you won’t know what hit you.Is there any part of that you don’t understand?”
Her chin wobbled, and her eyes filled with tears.“What I don’t understand is why you have to be such a heartless asshole.”
“I’m exactly who and what I told you I was at the beginning, when I was very clear about whatwasn’tgoing to happen between us.Do you remember when I said I don’t do relationships or commitment or happily ever after?Do you recall when I said, very bluntly, that you weren’t going to be the one to change my mind about these things and to please spare us both the agony by not trying to?Any of this ringing a bell?”
She looked down at the floor.
“I’m not sure what else I could’ve done to avoid having you come to my office to make a dramatic scene that does nothing but piss me off.”
Looking up at him as tears ran down her face, she said, “I just wanted to talk to you.”
“Now you have.”
“So that’s it?We fuck like rabbits for a month, and then it’s over?”
“That’s it.”
“Something’s wrong with you.”
He held her gaze without blinking until she looked away.“Let me give you a little piece of advice, Stacey.When people tell you who they really are,believethem.It’ll save you a lot of heartache in the long run.”
She swiped angrily at her tears.“I don’t know how you sleep at night, treating people this way.”
“I sleep great because I never lie to anyone, which is more than a lot of people can say.Just because you don’t like my truth doesn’t make it any less valid.Now, I have work to do.Can you find your way to the elevator?”
She stared him down for a long moment that ended when she finally looked away.“You’re a dick.I hope you get what you deserve in this life.”
He wanted to wish her the same, but remained silent, giving her the last word while hoping he wouldn’t see her again.
Stacey stormed out of the office, slamming the door as she went.Through the glass wall, he could see her heading for the elevator, chin raised in defiance of anyone who might get in her way.
Good.
He exhaled a deep breath as he took a seat behind his desk, turning to look outside while taking a minute to calm the hell down.While that wasn’t the first time he’d been confronted by an angry ex who’d expected to be the one to break through his defenses when it came to commitment and forever, it was the first time—and hopefully the last—it’d happened at his office, where he technically worked for his father.No doubt Corbin was being fully briefed on the ugly scene and would interrogate Julian about it at the partner meeting.
Turning back to his desk, he picked up the extension and dialed 9 for Security.
“Security, Danvers.What can I do for you, Mr.Remington?”
“I’d like to know how Stacey Wilson was allowed up to the fourth floor, where she made a huge scene, demanding to see me.”
“Oh no.I’m so sorry.I’ll look into what happened.We had two new people start this week, and it’s possible one of them let her through.”
“She would’ve told them she was a close friend of mine, which she was until I ended things with her.Please remind them that everyone who’s sent up must be cleared by us first.”
“I’ll take care of that right away, sir.Won’t happen again.”
“Thank you.”
Julian put down the phone and ran a hand through his hair as he tried to find the inner calm that propelled him through chaotic days in the family law trenches.Despite the surgical way in which he’d dealt with it, the encounter with Stacey had left him unsettled, even though everything he’d ever said to her was the truth.
Remaining unencumbered required honesty, and he was always,alwayshonest in his dealings with women.He didn’t want a girlfriend or a partner or, God forbid, a wife.He wanted fun and sex and occasional companionship, but even that’d become more trouble than it was worth in recent years.Stacey wasn’t the first to go out in a blaze of glory when he decided to end a commitment-free arrangement.
