Read His Call for Free Online

okay?”
    I exhale loudly and rub my fingers through my hair. “Not particularly, Dottie, but there’s nothing I can do in this moment. Email me a schedule by tomorrow morning. Goodbye.”
    I pocket my phone and leave the tiny space, my eyes set on the room we were just in. Naomi approaches me as soon as I walk through the door.
    “Oh, Aaron. You almost missed dinner. Oh, where is your girlfriend?” Her smirk is anything but concerned.
    I wrap my fingers around her arm and tug her from the room and back to the space I just called Dottie from. Then I slam the door behind us and pin her with my angry stare.
    “I have no idea what you’re playing at with this tonight, Naomi, but it’s ridiculous. You’re not in high school anymore. Our relationship is over , and it never should have begun.”
    “She didn’t know about us, did she?”
    “What Dayton did or didn’t know is irrelevant and, quite frankly, none of your business. What is your business is the fact I will be returning to New York in seven days. My lawyer is drawing up new divorce papers now, and understand this.” I put my hands on the small table between us and lean forward. “You will fucking sign them. It’s my final offer and more than you deserve. If you refuse to sign them, we’ll take it to court and you’ll get less.”
    Her face whitens despite her effort to remain composed. And why wouldn’t it? She’s being threatened out of money. Money she has no entitlement to.
    “Let’s not be hasty, now—”
    “Hasty?” I shout. “You’ve been playing this bullshit game for two years, and I’m finished. I’m done, Naomi. You’ll be flown to New York when I’ve looked over the papers to sign. There will be no further dancing around each other’s lawyers. There will be no more pushing unnecessarily. Do you understand me?”
    She clicks her tongue and nods harshly.
    “Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to retire for the evening.” I stand, adjust my jacket, and move toward the door. “I won’t be attending dinner tonight. I have far more important issues to attend to. Pass on my apologies to the others.”
    I leave the room before she can respond and slip into a waiting elevator. I lean back against the mirrored wall, a heaviness settling over me from knowing that I’m returning to an empty room.
    I could chase her. I could call the pilot and have him hold the plane until I get there.
    But I can’t. I’m not letting her go, but I’m not rushing it either. Before I get her back, I have to figure everything out. I have to end this sham of a marriage properly, take care of a bit of business, then relocate to Seattle.
    Then, and only then, can I fight for Dayton.
    I hold on to this thought as I enter the suite that still smells so much like her.

The One Where He Makes Arrangements

    I wearily let myself into my apartment. Seven days of nonstop meetings and a long flight—not to mention the time change—have done a number on me. There’s nothing I’d like more than to step out of these jeans and T-shirt and climb into bed for a large number of hours.
    But as the screen of my cell lights up with my mother’s number flashing on screen, I know that isn’t an option until later tonight.
    “Mom,” I answer¸ rubbing my forehead.
    “Mr. Carl isle will be waiting for you with your divorce papers at nine a.m. at the house. If you feel like you can drag yourself over here to look at them, please do.” She hangs up without another word.
    Actually, after those two sentences, I don’t feel like dragging myself over there at all. Hearing my mother’s less-than-pleasant inner thoughts out loud is never enjoyable, especially not when they involve my ex and are directed at me. Nevertheless, I should have expected this.
    I also know that her last sentence was her attempting to be polite. What she really meant was that, if I have any brain cells at all, I better get my ass over there before the lawyer shows.
    I step into the bathroom