Page 6 of Til Divorce Do Us Start

“The judge will ask for evidence that you two are trying to make this work. Unfortunately, the judge handling the case takes marriage seriously, even if done in Vegas. Nothing I had tosay could change it,” Alex explains, walking to where Trish and Noelle are perched on my couch like they belong there.

I rub my jaw while taking a slow breath. Noelle glowers at me. As if she didn’t sign first. As if she didn’t all but put my hand on the paper to escape. At least her attitude hasn’t changed. I’ll figure out how to deal with her while making sure we get the divorce.

It might be hell, but I’ve been through worse.

Chapter 3 - Noelle

When Trish and Alex slip out, leaving me alone with Colin, a very loud part of me wants to bolt after them. But that would be the coward’s move—and I refuse to give him the satisfaction.

I take a steadying breath. Then another.

Colin doesn’t say a word as he moves across the room, planting himself in front of his desk. He leans back against it, arms folded, the late afternoon light pouring in from the window behind him. It stretches his shadow across the floor, dark and imposing, making him seem even larger than he already is.

Like the room just got smaller. Or he got closer.

Either way, I feel it. Everywhere.

My eviction notice burns through my purse and when Colin’s gaze lingers there, I’m almost sure he can see it.

“So,” I say evenly. “You got us in this mess and now we’re stuck with it.”

“Igot us in this mess. Of course. Because you’re incapable of doing anything?” He asks sarcastically.

“You’re the one who double checks everything, right? Aren’t you always in control?” I sneer.

“We’re already at the bickering stage in our marriage. How delightful,” he says in monotone.

“Don’t say ‘marriage’ like that,” I order. “This isn’t a marriage! This is an accident, us in hell chained to each other.”

“That’s one way to sell your allure,” he snorts.

“What, can you imagine a worse hell than being strapped to me?” I demand.

He looks me over, slow and deliberate, and I hate how damn attractive he still is. I hate how his gaze drags over me like he’s trying to memorize every inch—like heremembers.

It tugs at memories I’ve spent ten years burying, trying to forget how it felt to be seen like that byhim.

But I’m not some naïve eighteen-year-old anymore, mistaking lust for something deeper in the eyes of an older, beautiful guy.

Even if—God help me—he looks better now than he did back then. Stronger. Sharper. More dangerous in every way.

“At least I’ll get to make sure that your next hook up knows the second she puts out, you’ll run,” I sneer.

“Watch it, Noelle.”

My name on his tongue makes me dizzy for a second, but I play it cool. “It’s clear we’ll kill each other in a week let alone three months. You’re still an unresponsive glacier in the shape of a man.”

“And you’re a demon parading around with a fake smile,” he counters.

“Death would be better than marriage with you,” I huff as I stand up. “Our lives don’t need to change just because of a piece of paper.”

When Colin doesn’t answer, my annoyance shoots up ten degrees. We’ve had to avoid each other at plenty of parties since our best friends were dating, but he’s always had a sharp barb for me. We’re plenty good at fighting. “What?” I snap.

“Go ahead. But if you violate the judge’s orders, it’s basically proof youwantto stay married to me,” he says, tone smug and infuriatingly casual.

I march straight up to him and jab a finger into his chest—hisverysolid chest, damn it—and he sucks in a breath, shifting slightly under my touch. But I don’t move an inch.

“I don’twantyou,” I grind out.

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