Page 50 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘For a guy with four failed marriages under his belt, you are surprisingly insightful when it comes to romance, thanks…’ I hesitate when I realize I don’t know this man’s name yet.

‘Calvin Klein, the lawyer, not the fashion designer. My friends call me Cal.’

I take his outstretched hand. ‘William Adler. I play an idiot on both television and real life. My real friends call me Will.’ I’m cutting the ‘y’ right now. No more Willy. That’s the guy I no longer want to be.

‘You’re on the TV?’ His eyes are wide with wonder but I can tell he’s no idea who I am. Thank God.

‘Reality show, but I walked away to take care of my issues and now I’m headed home to Portland to win her back.’

He raises an eyebrow. ‘Attempting a second go after epic failure. You’re a brave man, Will Adler.’

I nod, agreeing completely considering it feels like I’m on my way to slay a fucking dragon for the woman I love.

‘Tell me you’ve got a plan.’

‘What I’ve got is a rough draft, though I can’t pretend I haven’t rehearsed it every night I lay in a rehab bed for six months.’

‘Run it by me; maybe I can help,’ says the man four marriages deep.

‘Well, first I plan to grovel. GROVEL, in all caps, Cal. Then I hope to remind her who I really am, worship the ground she walks on, earn back her trust, and hopefully give her this…’ I pull the ring box from the front pocket of my carry-on bag and flip the lid open.

‘Whoa,’ Cal says with a nod. ‘That might do it.’

‘Man, I hope you’re right,’ I say, my voice shaky.

Cal pats my leg. ‘Just don’t forget to take responsibility for your part in this. Women love a man who’s not afraid to admit he was wrong.’

The seatbelt lights flash on.

‘You’re a smart man, Cal,’ I say, strapping on my seatbelt.

Before he puts on his seatbelt, he pulls a business card from his wallet, handing it my way. ‘I don’t often put relationships back together, so perhaps you could let me know how it goes?’

I take the card.Calvin ‘Cal’ Klein – Divorce Lawyer – Los Angeles.

‘You’re a divorce lawyer?’

He nods with a huge smile. ‘Like I said before, deep down I’m an old romantic. I blame my first wife. If she was still here, I’d be a very different man.’

‘Is she how you found out you enjoyed divorces enough to make it a career?’

He shakes his head, his face more serious than I’ve seen so far. ‘Brain aneurism. She was my college sweetheart. The absolute love of my life. Died just three years into our marriage when we were twenty-nine. I could go through thirty divorces and doubt I’ll ever feel heartbreak that could compare.’

God, she died? How awful. ‘I’m so sorry.’

He nods. ‘If this Berkley is the one you can’t quit thinking about – the woman who consumes your soul – do whatever it takes. Those women don’t come around often and I’d give anything to spend another moment with my sweet Clara.’

I blow out a breath, glancing out the window next to me at the Portland airport below. I thought I was nervous before, but now I’m realizing I can’t fuck this up. Cal here lost the love of his life and he’s never been the same. I’d really rather not end up in those shoes.

20

BERKLEY

PDX ROYALS

Prince Willy sighting!

We got word that Willy might be on a flight back to PDX yesterday afternoon. Guess what? He was! And we’ve got the photos to prove it. From what we could see through the hood pulled over his baseball cap, head down as he walked through the airport, he looks good! We contacted his publicist and she had no comment but take a look at our photos: he’s alive and back in the city!

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