Eligible Ex-husband - Marie Johnston Page 0,31
most of the load fell on Simon. If Helena had been around then, we could’ve snuck away, but hiring a full-time employee, one with the salary needed to recruit someone knowledgeable and experienced, wasn’t an option until after Liam died.
Simon ignores the dig about work. “We’ll fly out Friday. Charlie’s arranging the flight and hotel. I’ll have him send you the details.”
A tendril of hurt snakes through me. His assistant has to deal with me. It’s exactly the distance I asked for and don’t want.
“Okay.”
“And Natalie.” There was a note of caution in Simon’s tone. “I may be at Lancaster’s beck and call. Don’t make plans around me. I want you guys to have fun.”
“We’ll make it work.”
We disconnect. He expected me to say no, but I can’t. He’s making an effort. For someone married to his work, asking to bring the kids on a work trip, especially with an account that’s as critical as Lancaster’s, is a huge step.
Without seeing old friends, Arizona is definitely better than moping around the house and doing laundry and arranging gear for the sport of the week. Speaking of which, it’s T-ball week. I need to find baseball gloves. I have a small pink one that Abby used when she was in T-ball. I need to find the one that’ll fit Maddy.
Then I’ll have to think about packing. With my parents living in the same city, there’s little reason to travel. But this weekend, we’re flying out. Giddiness prompts a smile. I haven’t gone out of town in so long. Simon’s parents are rarely in the country and when they are, they land in Fargo for a kiss-kiss hug-hug we’re so busy we must leave immediately visit. They love their grandchildren, but not enough to spend time with them when it means tolerating me. I refuse to send my kids to grandparents who don’t respect me.
I walk back into the room where the Lego movie is still going strong with a smile on my face. Do I tell the girls?
Or do I wait? Simon’s notorious for plan changes. But after the last two weeks, I feel like he’ll move heaven and earth to make this weekend happen. And what’s worse, if he does, it’ll only be hard for me and my heart. Because then I’ll start to think that he’s really changed and my heart will ignore my gut.
Chapter 10
Simon
Sweat trickles down my back. Dry heat or not, it’s fucking hot.
The greens are packed with everyone else who thinks it’s a good idea to golf in the early morning hours at the most shaded golf course in Phoenix.
I wipe my brow and chug another bottle of water. Since I’ve had a few and don’t have to piss, I drink another.
Lancaster squints, crow’s feet winging out from under the brim of his ball cap. “Hope you skipped the coffee this morning.”
“I can’t imagine drinking anything hot before coming out here.”
He chuckles and selects an iron from his bag. I’m shamelessly taking refuge under the canopy of the golf cart. The two other guys we’re golfing with are somewhere on the hole. Lancaster hung back to wait for me.
For older men carrying a decent beer gut on each of them, they can out-golf the hell out of me. Lancaster adjusts the elastic waistband on his white shorts. He must have a tan line from his shins to his mid-thighs thanks to his shorts and high socks. He’s always reminded me of Natalie’s dad.
Only Natalie’s dad isn’t so paranoid about my business acumen.
I spent holes one through fourteen talking about how I select investments, who I invest with, how I’m expanding my firm, and why their ideas don’t work as well for my business model. There’s no animosity or confrontation. I get the impression that this was a group that missed the fast-paced high stakes work-life and lived vicariously through whoever would talk to them.
One of Lancaster’s buddies is talking real estate with one of the ladies from a group that’s in front of us at the holes. Their group is an identical version of the one I’m with. Retirees who hang out and live vicariously through each other’s work war stories.
Not that I mind golf, but I’m over it for the whole weekend. For the rest of the summer. It’s hot, while the hotel I left has air conditioning and a whirlpool that I fantasize is filled with cool water for soaking my hot and sweaty balls.
I also imagine asking Natalie to join me, but