Callum works his jaw back and forth, his nostrils flaring at my words, and I know it’s thanks to what they sound like:I washoping he wouldn’t be here. I was hoping I could sneak into the city and back out again without having to see him.The worst part is I can’t even deny it. That is what I wanted. I needed this to happen on my own terms, not on New Year’s Eve of all nights.
“That’s certainly something you’re allowed to bring up whenever. How do you guys know each other exactly?”
I swallow once, then again, and I don’t miss how Callum’s eyes drink me in. I don’t miss how they roam over every inch of my face, the way they linger on my lips, then the necklace sitting at the base of my throat.
And I really don’t miss how his jaw hardens and his lips set into a firm line, waiting for my answer.
“He’s my husband.”
Husband.The word feels so foreign on my tongue. I used to dream about the day I would get to call Callum that, but now? It feels…off.
I don’t have to be looking at Dirk to know shock is covering his face. It makes sense. I haven’t mentioned anything about a partner, let alone a husband, and I certainly didn’t mention that he plays professional hockey.
I dare a peek over at my potential future co-worker, and he takes a step backward at this news. “You, uh, you didn’t say you were married.”
Callum scoffs, and I swing my gaze back to him just in time to see him dragging his eyes away from the very empty spot on my left hand, right where his ring should be sitting but isn’t.
“I didn’t leave the information out on purpose.” I’m not sure whether I’m telling my husband or saying this to Dirk. “I just…”
But I don’t have a good explanation for not telling him. It’s not like I was trying to hide it intentionally. I just didn’t knowhowto explain it.
How am I supposed to tell people I walked away from the love of my life three years ago and have hardly spoken to himsince? Especially when there wasn’t some big scandal to go along with it? He didn’t cheat, and I didn’t either. We just… Well, I’m not exactly sure what we did, but I do know what was once a solid foundation crumbled so quickly that now I don’t have any idea how to put it back together.
“Well, I—” Dirk starts, but his words are cut off as the music suddenly dies and a loud screech fills the packed bar.
“Sorry about that,” someone says into a megaphone, and I turn to find someone standing atop the bar holding one. “One minute to midnight, folks!” Everyone cheers. “Grab your guys and grab your gals and get those lips ready because remember: the person you kiss at midnight is the one you’ll spend the year with!”
Another roar of cheers courses through the bar, but I pay it no mind. I’m far too busy staring at my estranged husband, who looks like he’s never been in more pain in his life. My fingers itch to reach out and smooth the wrinkle that seems to be etched between his furrowed brows, but I remember I don’t have the privilege anymore, and worse, it’s my own fault.
We stand there for what feels like years, but really, it’s less than a minute before everyone begins to count.
“Ten!”
I jump at the surge of noise, taking my eyes off the man I haven’t seen up close in far too long for just a second, but it’s long enough because when I turn back around, he’s already leaving.
“Callum!” I call after him, but the word is swallowed by the crowd continuing their countdown.
“Nine!”
“Callum, wait. I?—”
But he doesn’t wait, and he disappears before I’m even able to register it.
“Eight!” the crowd continues to chant, and it’s enough to get me to move.
“What the… Chloe!” Dirk’s hand circles my wrist, halting my movements. “Where are you going?”
I try to pull away, but he tightens his grip, his eyes darkening, and it causes my stomach to flip in the worst kind of way. “Let me go.”
“But—”
“I’m sorry. Really. I’ll call the paper tomorrow.”
His jaw hardens, and before he speaks his next words, I know this is going to affect things withSeattle Daily. “This isn’t how you conduct business,Ms. Harris.”
He says my maiden name disdainfully, and I regret ever using it to begin with.
“It’sMrs. Keller,” I hiss before yanking my hand away, turning on my heel, and shoving my way through.
