Page 49 of The Art of Falling in Love with Your Enemy
When I pull into my driveway later that evening, my mind is focused on getting inside so I can let the dogs out. Plus, it’s Sunday night, and to me that’s a night to hang out and take care of yourself. I love having downtime and a quiet night in on a Sunday because I feel like it gears me up for the week ahead.
As I put my car into park, I lean back in my seat and do a happy dance. I can’t wait to tell Zac when I see him that my dream to open the tasting room is going to come true. And, as I told Amelia before I left, if it kills me, I want to start paying her rent as soon as I open. I don’t know how, but I’ll find a way to make things work until I can settle things with Steve.
I get out of the car and immediately my mind races to decorating the retail space. There’s so much I need to do before I can think about opening, and I’m so caught up in my planning it’s no wonder I don’t see Steve sitting on my front porch.
I’m halfway up the porch steps when he announces his presence.
“Hey, Etta.”
TWENTY-ONE
Etta
Startled, I grab at my heart when he manages to scare me mid-step. Ever the graceful goddess that I am, I don’t even fight gravity as it tugs on me. Instead, I go with the flow. I know if I try to fight a fall like this, I’m going to end up with splinters or stitches, and neither sounds like fun at the moment.
Luckily, I ended up on my back. Pretty sure I look like a turtle who’s been flipped onto his shell. I keep my eyes pinched closed, not because I’m hurt, but because I’m so irritated that Steve is the one who’s done this to me. I want to scream.
“Are you okay?” he asks from his chair. It’s like him to not even get up.
Sitting up, I pull a few bright red maple leaves from my hair and wipe the grass off my cheek. “I’m peachy. And how are you this fine evening?” I begin to stand up, slowly, raising myself up vertebrae by vertebrae. “Oh, no, Steve. Please do not help me. I can’t stand it when you’re so good to me.”
“Oh, man…” As if someone’s lit a fire under his butt, he’s suddenly up and off his chair, hand outstretched like he wants to help.
Too little, too late. It’s no wonder we split.
I snap my arm away from his grasp, a little too roughly. Feeling somewhat bad, I look at him apologetically and point to the chairs for us to sit.
“So,” I begin, taking my seat. “You obviously have something important to say to end up here waiting for me in the dark. Like an owl.”
“I started to leave and drive back today, but it didn’t feel right.”
“Being of sound mind, I can say that the reason you don’t feel good is because your heart is dark and icy. I’m pretty sure it’s pumping dust.”
“I always wondered why you didn’t want to work for a greeting card company,” Steve says in an attempt to tease me.
Looking at my front door, I’m reminded there are two dogs who need to get out. I hop up and pull out my keys, unlocking the door and opening it wide enough to let Thor and Hercules out. They burst through, beelining it to Steve to say hello before racing out to do their business in the yard.
“Okay, what can I do for you before we get you on the road?” I ask as I sit back down. The rumble in my stomach tells us both it’s time for me to eat.
“I’m here to let you know I’m dropping all of it.” His eyes are downcast, and he won’t make eye contact with me. “I spoke to my lawyer yesterday and asked him to stop it all.”
“I guess you finally realized that you could get into a lot of trouble for your lawsuit?”
Steve shrugs. “I did get an earful from my lawyer about frivolous lawsuits. And he told me that you could decide to sue me for malicious prosecution. Our judge is going to decide this week if he’s going to fine me for taking up his time with this case.”
I can tell by looking at him that he’s feeling as defeated right now as I do vindicated. I don’t want to tell him that I won’t press charges. He doesn’t get that satisfaction. Not yet. “Why did you do it, Steve?”
“Call me crazy, but for a period of time after we split I thought we’d get back together.” He throws a lopsided grin my way. “I know you’re here and happy now, I’ve seen it for myself. Even that guy you’re dating, Zeke…”
“Zac.” I roll my eyes, but can’t help a giggle.
“Whatever. Seeing you with someone else made it real, that you have moved on.” With a shake of his head, he stands up. “I’ve already started the process of having that money transferred back to you for your part of the business. And, this”—he reaches around and pulls a folded-up piece of paper out of his back pocket, unfolding it to show me the non-compete clause—“is outta here.”
With a flourish, he grabs the paper and pulls it apart, shredding it into two pieces. The night air suddenly chills my skin, a faint breeze licking my ankles. Across the lawn, Thor and Herc race in a circle, with Thor stopping to pee on Steve’s car. Karma.
I’d spent the better part of the last few months in shock and being hurt by this man and his lawsuit, I’ll be honest I’m not sure what to feel right now. But for the moment, I’m going to settle on relief.
“Wow.” I take a breath of air and sigh it out slowly. “I’m glad you’re letting it go, Steve. Part of me feels like I should say thank you, but another part of me is still really, really mad at you for even putting me through the stress.”
