Page 7 of Due Process
His drained pallor and panicked expression gave me a small spark of satisfaction that had me thirsting for more.
As I graced the podium, I was aware of what everyone saw—independence, ambition, success—and all three were true. But I was also a thirty-eight-year-old mother of two, and soon-to-be divorcee.
Which was solidified when Felix scurried away into the dark hole that was his office. And, of course, his homewrecking rat predictably followed suit.
I should have been impressed that they played right into my hand. Instead, I felt sick… and disappointed. It was too easy, entirely amateur, further proving how far Felix had fallen.
It was over.Truly over.
Fluffing up my hair and smacking my lips, I watched my blue eyes turn to steel in the reflection.
Mrs Johnson was dead.And she was ready to drag everyone down to the grave with her.
Exiting the bathroom with solid steps, I went to re-enter the conference room when a low, familiar voice called from behind. “Smelly Stella!”
There was only one person in the world who used that term, and it was none other than Curtis Wright. Ex-pro league baseball player and my childhood best friend.
I spun towards him and was immediately enveloped in his embrace.
A certain affection swept through me unawares that had me pressing closer, searching for a particular warmth that only came from somewhere safe.
He read my need and freely gave that extra reassurance by squeezing tighter. After a delayed second, we withdrew from one another.
His smile was genuine, but his smooth brown eyes skirted over my features in question. “You okay, Stella?”
I solidified my mask. “Yes. Just miss the boys. Congrats, C. You’ve nearly hit billionaire status with this latest campaign.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, Alicia did a great job brokering this deal for me. Whoever thought we’d find ourselves here. Right, Stells?”
“I did,” I said with confidence. “I always knew you were going to be great, Curtie-pie.” His cheeks flushed from the endearment—one my late mother had invented when we were young.
“She’d be proud of you, too, you know.”
I shrugged, contemplating all that I had planned. “I’m not so sure.”
His hand began rising, then fell back to his side again, as if catching himself.Strange.
Then Howard sidelined our interaction, not so subtly trying to bulldoze his way in.
Taking the out, I pitched forward and pressed a goodbye kiss to Curtis’ cheek. “I’ll see you this weekend. Let me know if you want me to bring anything.”
Before I could retreat, he latched onto my arm, his breath skating down the side of my face as he whispered, “Youare notleaving me here with Howard. I’ll never escape.”
“Take one for the team, C. You still know how to do that, don’t you?” I giggled before retreating.
It wasn’t until later that I processed the light tingling his touch had left behind.
Tears. Hurt. Urgency.
That was what I saw when Alicia raced across the foyer, searching for escape.
“Alicia! Alicia! Are you okay?” I rushed, catching her from the side.
She was downright frazzled as I ran my palms over her shoulders, attempting to soothe.
Alicia was one of our top-performing employees and was just promoted to executive financial advisor. She came from the elevator, so I didn’t have to guess what had her so out of sorts.
“Let me find Felix,” I said. “He’s upstairs in his office.” Like fuck was I going to subject myself to that sight again, but I had to gain confirmation from Alicia. “I’ll only be a minute. I’m going to find him.”
