Page 18 of Sugar Pie
I was about to get up to go, but the door floor open. Kerry shut the door, jumped up and down, and rushed to me as she shouted, “Warren!”
I tucked my phone into my pocket. “Do you need a ride?”
She crossed her arms. Her bright gaze said she wasn’t mad, though she put her foot to the side as she asked, “You already asked your brother to help me?”
I stood and stared down at her. “Well, I don’t know how to file papers like Jeff does, and you said you needed help. I said you’d call.”
She dropped her arms and almost bounced. “I shouldn’t accept this but… thank you.”
Good.I blinked and picked up my keys. “You talked to him?”
I stopped near her, and the air singed with electricity. I ignored it.
“I did. He said he’ll get started right away, which is great, and he hopes he can be fast. I could be free.”
To be mine. The thought hit me fast, and I refused to act on that. However, I drew closer, following my instincts, and said, “He’s a good guy and a great lawyer. Trust him.”
She stared at me, and my body tingled with desire. I swore she wanted to kiss me, too, but she didn’t. “I’m not used to anyone caring about anything I do. So tonight, I’m cooking a feast. Try to be home by six.”
I lowered my lashes but then stopped. I’d never willingly kissed a married woman. The thought hit me, and I stood. “My stomach is already grumbling.”
She waved then rushed out the door again. I hoped she would find whatever she needed for closure because once she did, I was first in line. I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anything, and I’d never had to wait. It was all new.
7
Kerry
I’d spoken to my lawyer, Jeff, and given him all of the information. I’d even explained how I’d been left alone in that house for three months without a car because I’d embarrassed Romeo at the holiday party.
He’d suggested I could get alimony if we fought for it, but I wanted freedom more than money. I would figure out how to earn my own way, and I insisted I wanted nothing.
Freedom was worth more.
Warren had mentioned that his brother was the moral, upstanding type, which I agreed with after speaking to him.
Warren was too good to be true—handsome, dreamy, and determined. If I’d met someone like him in college, maybe I wouldn’t have married the wrong guy. At least I’d finally gotten the courage to leave, the first step of figuring myself out. I refused to be anyone’s trophy wife ever again.
I’d even told Jeff how he berated me in the car for two hours because I’d worn sneakers to a golf club event and said he was taking my car from me again.
It was enough to make me jump. I spent one night with no roof over my head, scared out of my mind as I walked to Greenville. Then I took the job with Mrs. Morris, knowing it was temporary.
All the changes finally felt worth it. Warren made me feel safe, and my luck seemed to have changed. I hummed as I walked to an upscale condo building to meet a couple who had run an ad for a house cleaner.
While I’d never cleaned professionally before leaving my husband, I’d quickly figured out how to do everything. The week before, I’d handled all sorts of messes, and I figured a childless couple would be easy.
As I made it to the front door, my phone rang. I recognized the Connecticut area code, but the number was unknown. I answered, and a shiver raced down my spine as soon as I heard Romeo’s voice.
I refused to be nice. I’d blocked his contact information. I closed my eyes and pressed myself into the side of the building. If a car went past with him in it, I needed to blend in. “Romeo, you’re calling me from a new number.”
“I’m using the car service,” he said, “and I’ll send a car for you.”
Oh no. He knew where I was. I glanced around, and nothing seemed out of sorts. I lifted my chin. “No. I’ll be sending you divorce papers soon.”
“Don’t be rash. We both know you’re not made to rough it anywhere, and you haven’t used your cards.”
I hadn’t wanted him to track me with credit card information. I left the side of the building and paced. “Because I’m not depending on you anymore.”
“I’m letting you have your little fantasy so you stop complaining all the time, but just unblock my number or call this one. I’ll send someone to get you.”
