Page 45 of Designing Love
We don’t say much on the way back. But we don’t need to.
She’s leaving soon. And still — I know.
She’ll come back.
Not just to the town.
But to me.
20
QUICK TRIP
Sophia
Idrum my fingertips on the steering wheel, glancing warily at the sign: Toronto: 75 km.
I’m picturing last night, with Ethan.I should have kissed him. He was giving me all the cues, right?
The rental car glides along the highway, 90s grunge blaring through the speakers in a losing battle against my swirling thoughts.
Halfway to Pearson Airport, my stomach is knotted tight. This trip back to Vancouver is essential: sever my business ties with Daniel, tie up loose ends with my clients and employees, and end the sabotage he’s waging from afar. If I get through this quickly, I can return to Bluewater Cove — and Ethan — free and clear, soon. And yet, every mile feels heavier, dragging me deeper into uncertainty.
My phone buzzes from the dashboard, interrupting the music. My attorney’s nickname appears on-screen:SAM (LEGAL EAGLE). I roll my eyes, remembering how that silly nickname stuck after a night of wine-induced brainstorming. I press the answer button, switching to speakerphone.
“Sam, your timing is impeccable,” I tease, carefully navigating through merging traffic.
Sam chuckles. “Sophia, if you think this is inconvenient, try my midnight contract negotiation clients.”
“That’s what you get for being annoyingly talented.”
“Flattery won’t lower my fees,” he retorts playfully, keys tapping rapidly in the background. “So, you’re airport-bound, right?”
“Yep,” I confirm, forcing breezy confidence into my voice. “I’ll land in Vancouver this afternoon, and we’ll end this nightmare swiftly.”
Sam’s typing pauses. “Nightmare’s about right. Are you absolutely sure you’re ready to push the big red ‘dissolve the business’ button?”
I grip the wheel tighter, and my knuckles turn white. “More than ready. We both know it’s overdue.”
“True,” Sam agrees gently. “But remember, your design business is legally entangled with Daniel. If you’re going to relocate or restructure, we need a strategy.”
A rush of annoyance prickles beneath my skin. “I don’t want anything co-owned with him anymore. No lingering connections.”
He sighs softly. “Understood. But these negotiations get ugly fast, and this one definitely could, especially when Daniel’s ego gets involved. You sure you’re willing to walk away from the brand?”
The highway widens again and I accelerate slightly, shifting lanes. “Absolutely. He can have the brand. I’ll start over… Sam, Sage told me my parents left me a hefty inheritance — I won’t starve.”
Sam replies gently. “But you earned your share of the company, Sophia. Don’t undervalue that. And we’ll circle back to that inheritance.”
A lump forms in my throat as memories of my parents surface — how proud they were when I graduated, and how proud they were of my business. But they never hid their sentiments about Daniel.If only you could see me now,I think wistfully, blinking away sudden moisture.
“Look, Sam,” I say firmly, refocusing. “I just want out. Business dissolved. Clean break.”
He pauses, concern audible. “All right. I’ll draft the initial settlement. But brace yourself. Daniel won’t be pleasant.”
I laugh bitterly. “He’s never pleasant unless he’s controlling everything around him.”
Sam snorts knowingly. “Believe me, I’m aware.”
