hear my phone ringing inside. I let myself in quickly and head for my phone in case it’s one of the boys.
“Hello,” I answer without looking to see who it is.
“Ell?” His deep voice says.
I should have looked first. Damn it.
“What can I do for you, Justin?” I bite out.
“I was just calling to see how you are doing in the new apartment?” he says with hesitation.
I don’t answer for a moment, because I’m not sure if I should be mad and yell at him or laugh at the absurdity.
“Justin, I’m not doing this with you,” I laugh out. “Is something happening with the boys that I need to know about?”
He responds quietly after a moment, “No, I just wanted to make sure you are okay in the new place, that’s all. Jesus, Ell, we spent twenty-one years together. I can’t just turn off the part of my brain that wants to protect you.”
I’m shocked at his declaration. I get that we had a routine and it’s weird so many things changed so fast, but it’s been more than nine months since this all started. Why is he so concerned for my well-being now?
I choose my words carefully, trying to rein in my temper. “Look, I understand those protective feelings don’t go away overnight. However, it’s been nine months, Justin. I don’t need your protection anymore. Stop worrying about me and focus on your own life. I’m not part of it anymore.”
He doesn’t say anything for a moment, and I know that’s my cue to end this conversation.
“Goodbye, Justin,” I say calmly.
I hit the End button before he has a chance to respond. The smile that spreads across my face is strange, but liberating. I don’t feel sadness. For the first time in a very long time, when I speak to Justin or think of him, I’m not shattered.
After a quick, cool shower to rinse off the sweat, I decide to catch up on the latest romance novel I’m reading. As I dive into the story about bikers and the women who love them, I find myself picturing Cord as the biker—in leathers, on a Harley, taking what he wants when he wants it.
When I get to the steamy parts, I realize my breathing is heavy and I’m squeezing my legs together. It’s been way too long. Maybe reading books that involve detailed sex scenes isn’t the best idea for me right now. I’m already trying to keep my mind from going there every time I’m around Cord.
After yet another steamy scene, I check the clock to see how much time I have before Cord arrives. I always seem to lose sense of time when I’m reading, and it surprises me when I realize he’ll be here in three hours. I spent most of my afternoon reading, and I smile because I can.
I reread the last steamy scene one more time for good measure and then head off for my date with the removable showerhead. If I’m going to be in the presence of that gorgeous man for a couple of hours, I’m going to need to take care of that.
Seeing how Saint is a very prestigious restaurant, I find the only cocktail dress I own, a black one that I’ve only worn once. Justin had been invited to some bigwig retirement party a few months before our split and had insisted I buy something “new and black” for the party. At the time, it didn’t dawn on me, but when I look back at it now, he probably requested I buy a dress in black to try to hide the fact I was heavier than most of the people who attended. He works in the fitness industry, so most of the people he works with are fit. He is fit. Julia is fit. Hell, he met her at one of those damn fit people conventions he’s always going to.
I shake away the melancholy feeling that is trying to take over me. Tonight will be great. I’m getting out there and making new friends, starting with my neighbor, who just so happens to be hot as hell. Stop it, Ellie. You don’t think about your friends like that.
I’m finishing up my makeup when I hear the light knock at the front door. He’s early. I smooth the front of my dress down and head out to let Cord in.
But when
“Hello,” I answer without looking to see who it is.
“Ell?” His deep voice says.
I should have looked first. Damn it.
“What can I do for you, Justin?” I bite out.
“I was just calling to see how you are doing in the new apartment?” he says with hesitation.
I don’t answer for a moment, because I’m not sure if I should be mad and yell at him or laugh at the absurdity.
“Justin, I’m not doing this with you,” I laugh out. “Is something happening with the boys that I need to know about?”
He responds quietly after a moment, “No, I just wanted to make sure you are okay in the new place, that’s all. Jesus, Ell, we spent twenty-one years together. I can’t just turn off the part of my brain that wants to protect you.”
I’m shocked at his declaration. I get that we had a routine and it’s weird so many things changed so fast, but it’s been more than nine months since this all started. Why is he so concerned for my well-being now?
I choose my words carefully, trying to rein in my temper. “Look, I understand those protective feelings don’t go away overnight. However, it’s been nine months, Justin. I don’t need your protection anymore. Stop worrying about me and focus on your own life. I’m not part of it anymore.”
He doesn’t say anything for a moment, and I know that’s my cue to end this conversation.
“Goodbye, Justin,” I say calmly.
I hit the End button before he has a chance to respond. The smile that spreads across my face is strange, but liberating. I don’t feel sadness. For the first time in a very long time, when I speak to Justin or think of him, I’m not shattered.
After a quick, cool shower to rinse off the sweat, I decide to catch up on the latest romance novel I’m reading. As I dive into the story about bikers and the women who love them, I find myself picturing Cord as the biker—in leathers, on a Harley, taking what he wants when he wants it.
When I get to the steamy parts, I realize my breathing is heavy and I’m squeezing my legs together. It’s been way too long. Maybe reading books that involve detailed sex scenes isn’t the best idea for me right now. I’m already trying to keep my mind from going there every time I’m around Cord.
After yet another steamy scene, I check the clock to see how much time I have before Cord arrives. I always seem to lose sense of time when I’m reading, and it surprises me when I realize he’ll be here in three hours. I spent most of my afternoon reading, and I smile because I can.
I reread the last steamy scene one more time for good measure and then head off for my date with the removable showerhead. If I’m going to be in the presence of that gorgeous man for a couple of hours, I’m going to need to take care of that.
Seeing how Saint is a very prestigious restaurant, I find the only cocktail dress I own, a black one that I’ve only worn once. Justin had been invited to some bigwig retirement party a few months before our split and had insisted I buy something “new and black” for the party. At the time, it didn’t dawn on me, but when I look back at it now, he probably requested I buy a dress in black to try to hide the fact I was heavier than most of the people who attended. He works in the fitness industry, so most of the people he works with are fit. He is fit. Julia is fit. Hell, he met her at one of those damn fit people conventions he’s always going to.
I shake away the melancholy feeling that is trying to take over me. Tonight will be great. I’m getting out there and making new friends, starting with my neighbor, who just so happens to be hot as hell. Stop it, Ellie. You don’t think about your friends like that.
I’m finishing up my makeup when I hear the light knock at the front door. He’s early. I smooth the front of my dress down and head out to let Cord in.
But when
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