Page 55 of Solid Ground

“Just get out, Annabelle. We were done a long time ago.”

Fixing her gaze on Zoe, she smirks. “Don’t think you’ll get a ring on his finger.”

I glare at her. “Zoe’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The only thing I regret is the ring I put onyourfinger. Biggest. Mistake. Ever.”

Her nostrils flare, and I know I’ve hit her hard.

While I have so many regrets about my first marriage—Ciara didn’t deserve the way this life chewed her up and spat her out—Annabelle was a big old drunken mistake. I’m not sure I was sober at any point in our relationship. That’s on me, but she was just as toxic, and we were bad together. There was never a future there. And when we divorced, she did her best to suck me dry, but our pre-nup held tight and she only got what she was entitled to. It was still more than enough to set her up for life. If she’s run out of money, she’s only got herself to blame.

“Get out of my house. Text me where you’re staying so I can send you whatever you brought here. I’ll be having the locks changed so you can’t get back in.”

Her eyes flare with anger and she storms toward the front door.

“Good riddance,” I call.

The doorjamb rattles as she slams it shut, and I snort. “I’m so sorry, Zo.”

I turn toward her.

Instead of the upset woman I expect to find, Zoe’s got her lips clamped together as if she’s trying not to laugh.

“I’m gladyoufind it funny.”

Zoe snorts, and then holds her hand over her nose, hermouth falling open in horror. It’s enough to set me off, and I grasp her arm, laughing right along with her.

“So, that was your ex-wife?” she asks.

“One of them.”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh, Lordy. WhathaveI got myself into?”

“I haven’t seen the other one in years. Annabelle is the only pain in my ass, though I’ll make it clear she needs to stay far away from me. She’s got a nerve coming here. She never even lived here when we were married.”

Zoe’s expression softens. “She didn’t?”

“No. This is and has always been my place. We lived in an apartment together. I don’t even know how she got a key, but I’ll sure as hell be finding out.” I huff out a breath. “Take a seat in the living room and I’ll organise some coffee and something to eat.”

Zoe draws closer, cupping my face between her hands. “It’s not your fault. I’m okay.”

The tension eases, and I roll my shoulders. She always knows how to disarm me. “I’m sorry, babe. She sets me on edge.”

“I can see. But she’s gone now.” After a gentle kiss, she heads toward the living room, and I race up to my bedroom, taking two stairs at a time.

Relief floods through me that she doesn’t appear to have slept in my bed. It wouldn’t feel right bringing Zoe here if she had. I’d need to burn the mattress.

One of the guest bedrooms is trashed. The bedding is a mess. And food wrappers litter the room. It’s like she’d hunkered down in here and barely left.

Maybe that’s what happened here.

She must have been counting on me not coming here anytime soon. I guess it has been months since I was in town, and that’s how my life has always been—here then gone for shoots and promo.

I’ll talk to the housekeeper when she’s in about cleaning up. She can have a bonus for dealing with this crap.

Thankfully the kitchen is stocked—so the housekeeper has been in while Annabelle’s here. I’ll have to address that too.

After making some coffee and a sandwich for Zoe, I head out the back to where my groundskeeper lives. He’s the holder of spare keys, and I want answers.

He gives me a cautious smile as I approach.

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