Page 19 of The Sexy Part
Sheila turns to me. “No hard feelings, okay?”
I whirl and run from the pub, anger fueling me.
I head back to the apartment and grab my gym bag from the closet and stuff as many of my clothes into it as I can. I should’ve brought my suitcase from Mackenzie and Harper’s place, but I was so focused on dealing with Dave, I wasn’t thinking straight.
The sofa is mine, as is the coffee table, end table, and the flat-screen TV. Also, the stools at the breakfast bar and the living room area rug. Dave’s stuff wasn’t as nice as mine, so he got rid of it when I moved in. The bedroom furniture was his.
I dash at a tear and head for the kitchen for a plastic bag. Then I go to the bathroom and dump all of my toiletries and makeup into it. I briefly consider trashing his stuff, but I don’t have the energy. Adrenaline leaks out of me, along with my fury. The wedding disaster, the new woman taking my place, hocking my treasures. It’s suddenly all too much.
My eye catches on his hair-growth cream. Impulsively, I drop it in my bag.I hope you go bald in a week!It’s a small thing, but the man is extremely sensitive about his thinning hair. He’s thirty-two, so he’s probably fighting genetics at this point.
I toss my bag over my shoulder and walk out the door, telling myself this is for the best. I don’t want to be with a man who would flake on a marriage or his family. I can’t believe I bought into the fantasy of a rosy future with him. Serious denial on my part. I let him walk all over me, while he did whatever the hell he felt like. I was all give while he was all take. I’m seeing clearly now, and I’ll never let myself be treated like that again.
I’d rather be alone than be with the wrong man. With any man, actually. Maybe I’ll get a cat.
4
The next day is Monday, and I’m on fire taking care of business.Bam! Bam! Bam!I call Bob, the lawyer who drew up our business partnership papers, and have him get started on dissolving them. Next, I head back to the city to transfer my half of the business checking to a solo account, and I stop by the police station to report Dave for stealing my personal items. We weren’t married, so that wasn’t community property. It was mine, and he had no right.
Unfortunately, the officer explained it was complicated in a cohabitation situation, and I have no proof it was him. It’s basically Dave’s word against mine. She told me to try small claims court, which I definitely will. Of course, nothing can replace Mom’s jewelry. Every time I think about it, my chest aches. Just one more reason Dave should burn in hell.
I grab a snack from a street vendor and head to a store for a new laptop, putting it on my credit card. One more bit of business as I walk to the train station—a call to the real estate company. I need the deposit money back on the condo to afford my own place. I get a guy named Matthew, who has zero sympathy for my newly single and homeless status as he informs me I’ll get the deposit back in thirty days.
“Thirty days?” I exclaim. “I can’t wait thirty days. You can easily sell the condo to another person. We never closed.”
“It’s in an escrow account. Thirty days is the best I can do. You’re not the only one we do business with, Miss Sanders. We’re a very busy firm.”
“I’d like to talk to your supervisor.”
“She’s on vacation. You won’t get a different answer. I have to put the request through accounting. There’s a procedure in place here to keep things running smoothly. We could put that money toward another condo if you’d like to move quickly on a new place. This is a very hot market.”
“No, I need the money back in my account.”
“Very well, expect it in thirty days.”
I grumble a thanks and hang up. Thirty days. It’s not ideal, but it’s something. Maybe I can stay in Clover Park a little longer. My friend Meg offered to let me stay in her apartment in the city, but she already has three roommates, which means I’d get the floor. Also, one bathroom for two guys and three women would be tough.
As soon as I have my condo deposit back, I can look for another apartment. I’ll need to find a roommate to afford it or move someplace small and probably not in a good area. It’s not ideal, but that’s city life. One day, I’ll be able to afford someplace nice by myself.
After growing up in a rural area of Pennsylvania with Grandmom and the suburbs of New Jersey before that, living in New York City was always the dream. The energy, the awesome food, always having something to do. I don’t want to give that up. On the other hand, there’s so many memories there of my life with Dave. No, I can’t let Dave ruin everything for me. It’s a big city, room enough for both of us.
Legally, Dave’s entitled to half of the deposit from the condo. Considering he stole my stuff, some of which can never be replaced, I’m inclined to keep all of the deposit. But I won’t stoop to his level. I don’t steal or cut corners. Everything aboveboard, legal and clear. Rise above.
I take the train back to Clover Park and let out a breath as the city disappears from view. It’ll get easier with time. I have to believe that. I still need to deal with the bill for our wedding. Why did I go all out for my wedding? I fell in love with Ludbury House, yes, but it was also a misguided attempt to show Dad I was doing well and get his approval.
That worked out about as well as my other attempts to make Dad proud. I don’t know why I care anymore. Dad and Cade didn’t care enough to see how I was doing after the wedding was called off. I’m the one who stays in touch with them. They’re too busy to bother. Growing up, I saw them on holidays and two weeks in the summer. That’s it. And I always felt like the third wheel.
When the train gets back to Clover Park, I ride Mackenzie’s bike back to their house. It’s a cute turquoise bike with a basket and a bell. There’s a busy road to cross, but the rest of the ride is beautiful on winding tree-lined roads. The breeze plays with my hair, making me feel lighter and free. I can breathe here. It’s probably just nostalgia for a quieter time of my life, but this countryside soothes my soul.
Now that it’s October, the leaves are starting to change—bright reds, oranges, and yellows. If you have to have your life implode, this is a nice place to recover.
Once Main Street comes into view, I give myself a pat on the back for finding my way home. My temporary home, if Mackenzie and Harper agree to let me stay longer. Mackenzie did trust me with an extra house key.
No one’s home when I get back. Probably both at work. The quiet is a little unnerving. I settle into the living room on a cushy brown leather sofa. I yelp as Felix leaps on my lap. He gives me a perturbed look before kneading my sweater.
I pet him under the chin. “Felix, you need a bell.”
I need to get back to work too. We shut down the business for a week for the honeymoon, so as far as the clients know, everything is normal.
