Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I collapsed on the couch, pressing on my chest.
Maria sat down next to me with the phone to her ear. “Yes. He’s gone. No, he didn’t see her…okay, yeah. She’s upset. I’ll ask.” Maria held the phone away from her face. “Will you speak to Pippa for a moment, Kelsey?”
“Yes,” I croaked.
Maria handed me the phone, patting my shoulder.
“Hi, Pippa.” I put a hand over my face. “I’m so sorry—I can’t believe he did that. Please thank Mr. Adamos for me.”
“Honey, I’m glad you’re here and that we could help you. I’ll tell Lucas. He’s like a rooster right now… Anyway, are you alright, dear?”
“I don’t know.”
Maria pressed my wineglass into my hand, and I took a sip.
“Rest,” Pippa said. “You’re safe.”
“Thank you.”
“How do you think he found you, honey?”
“My coworker.” I sniffed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “She gave me a ride here after work last week. I think they’re seeing each other now.”
Pippa scoffed. “I hope she dumps him after that stunt.”
“Yeah.”
“What did the police say?”
“Not much.” I took a tissue from Maria. “I told them he left. They said to fill out an online report. I’ll do that tonight.”
“Okay. Try not to worry. You’ll get through this. We’re here with the security system on.”
I handed the phone back to Maria. She ended up going into her bedroom—I think to receive a lecture about drinking too much the night before.
Wine poured down my throat too fast. I lay on the couch and stared at Dominic’s last message. He’d wanted to know if I was alright.
Me
I’m not in a good state to be dating anyone.
I hit Send before I could stop myself, then buried my face in my arms. My phone dinged with an incoming message.
Dominic
Did something happen?
Me
Yes but I was already thinking about it.
What?
Gerry was here. Drunk and shouting at me from the driveway.
Jesus. Are you safe?
He’s gone now.
I don’t like it. Wish I was there.
I stopped myself from writing me too.
Dominic
I’ll be there early next week. No decisions about us tonight. Too much has happened.
My phone dropped onto the couch cushion next to me. I pressed the heels of my hands against my forehead.
“Hey.” Maria came out of her bedroom. She put her hands on her hips and stared at the floor. “Tea and television. Do I have anything sweet in that kitchen?”
“Biscotti in the pantry.”
“Yes.” She fist pumped. “Pippa’s compulsive food gifting is paying dividends.”
“Thank you, Maria.” I sat up and hung my head. “Gerry’s…not who I thought he was. You’re really saving me. I don’t know what I would have done…”
She sniffed, and I glanced up to see her crooked smile. “Really glad I can help. Oh, and Pippa wants you at the family dinner tomorrow. Five o’clock, as usual. Pick something to watch, would you? I’m actually very good at making tea.”
Later that night, I struggled to fall asleep in my comfortable bed in the Adamos house. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be staying there much longer. And I had no idea where I’d go.