Page 231 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 10
I laughed, and it sounded strange in my throat. “When are you coming?”
“Eh. Sometime soon.”
How…specific. Whatever. I didn’t have any plans. “Great. See you then.”
“Are you okay, man? You’re being way too agreeable.”
“Is that even a thing?”
Rob laughed. “When it comes to you, yes. You sound…off.”
I didn’t need Rob worrying about me too. Ian and Ellen already stared at me with pity. Or was it fear? I couldn’t tell. Either way, I didn’t like it. “I’m fine, just dealing with some personal stuff.”
“Is the troll still giving you problems with the divorce papers?”
That was one of his favorite topics to discuss. And normally I just ignored him, because the specifics didn’t really matter. But they did now. They were the only thing keeping me away from Penny. “Yes, actually. She won’t return any of my calls. I want this thing finalized.”
“You really gotta just go over her head. Surely Papa Pruitt would love to talk contracts with you. Vom.”
Holy shit.I sat up in bed.Over Isabella’s head.That was my way out of my marriage. Isabella’s father was the perfect person to talk to. We could come to some kind of agreement. “You’re a genius.”
“I really don’t hear that enough. Feel free to say it again.”
“I gotta go.”
“A double complement was asking too much. See you in a few days. Or weeks. Or hours.”
That’s annoying.“See you then.” I hung up the phone. It would only take me a couple hours to get to Mr. Pruitt’s apartment if I was the one driving. I emerged from my bedroom, not bothering to shower or change out of my sweats.
“Good heavens, James, where are you going?” Ellen said as she saw me walking toward the elevators.
I looked down, suddenly worried I was still sporting that boner from when I was daydreaming about Penny earlier. I wasn’t. The thought of seeing Mr. Pruitt had gotten rid of that. So I had no idea what she was upset about. “I’m driving up to New York. I’m not staying the night or anything. I’m driving there and then back.” I just needed to get this thing done. Because as soon as I did…I could have Penny again.
“No you are not.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re drunk.”
I just stared at her. “No I’m not.”
“You’ve been drunk all week.”
It had been a while since Ellen had seen me like this, and she was seriously off her game. Just because I looked depresseddidn’t mean I was drunk or high off my mind. I was just in…withdrawal. “I haven’t had an ounce of liquor since the weekend.” Well, technically Monday morning. And maybe a little Wednesday. And just like…one drink this morning. I wasn’t spiraling anymore. But seeing Penny in class was fucking torture. All I wanted to do was reach out and touch her. And I couldn’t. Not yet.
Ellen didn’t need to know that though. The point was I was sober enough to drive right now.
“I’m calling Ian.”
“I can drive. I swear. Look.” I rubbed my tummy and patted my head at the same time. An act of pure coordination that could only be performed by a sober individual.
She stared at me like I’d lost my mind.
In her defense, I probably had. But I used her sudden shock to bypass her and step onto the elevator.
“James!” she yelled after me.
But the elevator doors were already closing. I breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the side of the elevator. And then I was picturing pressing Penny’s back against the wall of the elevator.Fuck.I ran my hand down my face. Images of her haunted me. All I wanted to do was recreate every scene playing out in my head. Again and again. Maybe I’d be able to tonight.
