“And that amount doesn’t take into consideration the money from the wine royalties and whatever part of your salary you’ve saved.”
She told herself he was being kind, trying to reassure her, but she couldn’t help thinking this was more proof he was ready to be done with her. As for the money, it wasn’t anything she could wrap her mind around.
“You think I should leave,” she said faintly. “You want me to go.”
“I’m not pushing you out. It’s just you’re gifted. You should have something of your own. You don’t want to work for my mom for the rest of your life. How would that even happen? You’d get a place somewhere else, drive to Bel Après, then drive home at the end of the day? That’s not going to make you happy.”
She knew he was trying to help, but his words only made her feel worse. The bleak picture of her life had her fighting tears.
Was that what was next? A sad little apartment and working for Barbara? Rhys got to keep their house and his family and everything else, while she lost everything?
Apparently her pain didn’t show, because he kept on talking.
“There’s no rush.” He passed her the folder. “We’ll move forward when you’re ready and not before. Until then, we’ll live together in the house.” He smiled at her. “You can stay there forever, as far as I’m concerned. I like living with you.”
Which sounded nice but wasn’t true. He wanted her to leave. Maybe not today, but soon.
She had to clear her throat before she could speak. “I appreciate that, but I think there needs to be an end date.” She forced a smile. “Eventually I would cramp your style. You don’t want to have to explain why your ex-wife is in the living room when you bring home a date.”
He chuckled. “That would be awkward, but I can always go to her place.”
She tried to keep her expression from tightening. He spoke so easily, she thought, as if he’d already worked everything out. Which he had. What was it he’d said? He wanted to have sex with anyone who would have him? None of this should be a surprise.
“I need to think,” she told him. “Just a few more days. If we could keep this quiet a little longer.”
“As long as you’d like. Did you tell Stephanie?”
She tried not to think about their conversation. “Yes, and she was upset.”
She was deliberately vague, not wanting to go into what had actually been said. She didn’t think she could get through the telling without losing what little control she had. Better to let him think Stephanie had been sad but supportive.
She got up and waved the folder. “Thanks for this. I’ll look it over.”
“You’ll want to run it past your lawyer.”
She stared at him blankly. She didn’t have a lawyer. Then she got it. He meant a divorce lawyer.
“Sure,” she whispered. “I’ll get right on that.”
And she would. Just as soon as she found a way to collect the pieces of her shattered life and start breathing again.
nine
Stephanie alternated between self-pity and guilt for the better part of four days before realizing she had to talk to someone. She decided to confront the one person she could yell at in total safety.
She waited until she knew Mackenzie would be in an evening meeting with Barbara, then walked into her brother’s house and called his name.
“In my office,” he replied.
She made her way to the large bookshelf-lined room. He was sitting at his desk, laptop open. It was well after seven, but sunlight still spilled into the room, warming the hardwood floors.
“Hey, Steph, what’s up?”
She stared at her older brother for a second, before putting her hands on her hips. “A divorce?” she asked, her voice a shriek. “You want a divorce? I know it has to be you. Mackenzie would never ask for one. Why are you doing this? We’re a family and you’re ripping us apart. Get some counseling and get over yourself.”
She paused to draw breath, then realized she had nothing else to say, so she sank into the one of the chairs and braced herself for the pushback.
But instead of yelling, he only shook his head and said, “I’m sorry.”
“That’s it?”
“It’s all I’ve got.”
“Did you cheat? You can’t keep your dick in your pants?” She fought against sudden tears. “Mackenzie’s amazing and beautiful and smart and why don’t you want to be married to her anymore?”
He stood and circled the desk. After pulling her