Page 46 of Soaring Free
Vivian grins at Stacy. “Glad we’re on the same page. But speaking of being on the same page, how are you doing with everything getting close to being officially over?” My sister and I rarely get time without little ears around actively eavesdropping on our conversation, so we’ve barely had a moment to openly talk about everything. “How are the girls handling everything?”
I shrug because it’s the hardest part of this entire thing. “I wish I could say they were totally fine, but I know they’re angry and hurt, not only by Shane’s leaving, but do you know he cancelled dinner on them again this week? I bet I could count on one hand how many times they have spent more than a half hour with him in the last six months.” Thank goodness Daddy and my brothers have stepped up, going above and beyond in making sure they have solid male figures in their lives. None of us can prevent the detriment of their father’s absence, but hopefully The Cavalry can shield them from as much damage as possible. And, whennecessary, we will all help them navigate the steps toward healing when they are ready for that too.
My girls will come first, like they always have, but especially as we navigate these new waters in life. “I don’t want to hurt them either, so maybe coffee with Theo should wait?”
“But Sav, if you take things slow, and start as just friends, I really don’t see any issue in it,” Stacy tells me. “I had a friend whose divorce took seven years to finalize—her ex was the worst—there isn’t a timetable for this. Every relationship and timeline is different. You just have to do what you think is right.”
“And people are going to talk regardless, you can’t let that factor into your decisions about your own damn life, Savannah. He is the one that left, he broke his vows to you—not the other way around. It’s not like you’re exploring an affair with Theo, because it wouldn’t even be considered cheating.”
“I mean, technically someone could accuse me of that until the divorce is final, I guess.” As gross as it is, it’s true, but I would never, ever cheat on anyone. It’s not who I am, and after everything our parents went through, I could never do that to my babies.
“Yeah, well, there is a long list of sins in the Bible and you don’t see people getting all riled up when someone tells a lie or is jealous over their neighbor’s new car, do you?” Vivian gives me a pointed look. “No, but those clucking hens will whip up a hurricane when it’s something scandalous and the gossip will spread faster than a wildfire.” She would know better than anyone; the rumors she had to deal with back in Chicago when Eloise’s father was murdered were intense and downright cruel.
She waves her hand, as though dismissing the cheating debate all together. “So, let’s focus on what matters, okay? When you think about having coffee with Theo, how does that feel in your gut, honey?” Vivian asks me.
“It feels … right. A little scary, a lot exciting, but overall, just right,” I admit to myself more than anything. Vivian reaches over and squeezes my arm. “I guess I better text him back, huh?”
“Yes girl, text that man!” Vivian claps in emphasis of her statement and Stacy raises her glass in a cheers.
“This is going to be fun. I better text Walker and tell him to pack the popcorn. He called this months ago,” Vivian preens.
“You’re right, he did! But I really wasn’t in denial then, I wasn’t even considering Theo as anything beyond a good-looking attorney.”
“And now?” Vivian raises an eyebrow.
“And now … I’m considering a lot more, so long as it’s with him.” Stacy and Vivian squeal like schoolgirls and I laugh at how ridiculous they’re being.
“I’m not sorry, it’s nice to see you excited about something instead of just stressed and worried and taking care of everyone else. You don’t need anyone’s permission to live your life on your terms. You deserve to be excited and happy and smiling, Savannah.”
Stacy tosses a throw pillow at my sister. “Again, what she said. Damn it, stop stealing my thunder, Vivian!” As I join them in laughter, I have to agree with my sister—I do deserve all of those things, and I deserve to be happy.
Chapter twenty-six
I always liked Fridays, but as I take in the gorgeous view of the vivacious woman across from me, I think I love Fridays now. We’ve kept the conversation light and fun, but I need to hear how she’s doing with everything. I pause to take a big drink before shifting gears. “Has anything else happened since court?”
“There haven’t been any other bullshit offers, if that’s what you’re asking. Although yesterday, I did get another set of apology flowers from my asshole ex.” Savannah shakes her head as she rolls her eyes.
“What do you mean apology flowers?” Andwhyis he sending her flowers?
“It’s happened a couple times now since the divorce bullshit started, but for years, Shane always sent me my favorite flower for my birthday, lavender roses, but they’ve come with apologies after he has been an exceptional asshole, like the other day.” She takes a big drink of her iced vanilla latte.
“Did he personally deliver them?” And if so, why is he at her house? I don’t want him to have access to her without someone else around, not after how aggressive he got at the courthouse a couple of months ago.
“No, he would never do something as low as personally delivering something like that. They have always been delivered by a florist or delivery service. They just come with a note. Here, I sent a photo of this one to my sister because I was so annoyed, hold on…” She reaches in her bag and pulls out her phone, pulling up a photo of a small enclosure card that has the words typed out, ‘You deserve better.' And nothing else, other than the name of the floral shop.
“Weird right? I know I deserve better, that’s why I’m fighting the dumbass in court. I talked to your sister about it because I’m getting really sick of his games. Between this and the flower he left in the house, I don’t want to communicate with him, so until this is settled, Pippa told his legal team that all deliveries needed to stop and any and all communication needs to go through the attorneys at this point.”
I take a deep and controlled inhale as I process this news. “When and what flower did he leave in the house?”
She waves her hand in front of her face like it’s not a big deal. “It was the other month. He was just being a creep and left one of the roses on my pillow. Like I get it, you have the security codes to get into the house. But you’re the one that left, so stay away.”
“So, there have been multiple apology flower deliveries, as well as the one he personally put in your bedroom? That’s a little odd, right?” I try to make my voice sound casual but I’m pissed off at his passive attempts to mess with her. Stupid little games being played by a stupid little man.
She shrugs. “I might have pissed him off with the parting comments at the meeting about my brothers having someone joining their poker games recently. Shane doesn’t like when others play with his toys.”
“You are not a toy, Savannah.” I level her with a glare to let her know I mean it. Do I want to play with her? Absolutely. But not because she’s a toy I stole from someone else, but because she is a fucking goddess. The faint blush on her cheeks lets me know that my intent is clear—both spoken and unspoken.
“If something else happens, will you please let me know as soon as it does, not the day or week after? If he is harassing you, we should have documentation for the court to consider it with everything else, and if anything, give us leverage to file a restraining order against him.”
