Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“ A re you alright?” Dominic asked, his turn signal clicking.
My neck twinged. I squeezed the top of my shoulder. “Just my life falling apart.” I tried to force a smile.
He frowned. “Your life wasn’t working. It’s going to be better.”
I pressed on the center of my chest. “Going with you tomorrow…I don’t know. It’s too fast for me.”
His car glided to a stop by the sidewalk in front of the Adamos house. He took my hand. “We’ll start by spending the day together. Now go soak in a bath.”
Taking a deep breath, I stared at his square-jawed-too-handsome face. There were a few lines etched into his skin. I cupped his cheek with my hand. “You’re unbelievable.”
His lashes lowered as he stared back at me. “I’ll settle in.”
I huffed, then leaned forward and brushed my lips against his. My heart wasn’t falling for him, it was sliding down a mountain in an avalanche. You’re so screwed.
Moving quickly, I propelled myself out of his car.
“Kelsey.”
Swinging around, I glanced in the passenger window.
He gazed up at me, his forehead wrinkled. “See you in the morning.”
“Yeah.” I held up a hand, then turned and hurried to the house.
Dominic was still there when I locked the gate. My face flushed.
Inside my room, I stood in the middle of the carpet and stared at my things stacked in piles. There was a room on a lavender farm that I’d messaged the owners about on Sunday—but even if they picked me, the space wouldn’t be available for a few weeks.
Go with Dominic? I put my hands on my forehead. You want to. What’s the problem?
I went into the bathroom and started filling the tub with hot water. It was like I was a snail that had tumbled off a rock onto a speeding train—I was still in shock about what had happened three hundred miles earlier.
My clothing came off in layers, the warm air prickling over my chilled skin. I stared at myself in the mirror, pale freckled skin and long, light brown hair. You want what’s bad for you. You’re too much of a coward to find a man who will respect you.
“Happiness is a choice,” I said to myself.
Turning away from my shadowed face, I stepped into the hot water and sank down slowly.
A fist banged on my bedroom door, and I sloshed water onto the floor. “Kelsey? It’s Pippa. Are you in there?”
“Yes. Coming.” My head swam as I stood up too fast. Hunched over, I stepped out of the tub and put on my robe.
Pippa was wringing her hands when I opened the door leading into the house. “Hi, dear. Your ex is here again.”
“Here?” I followed her down the hall, and then I heard him. Gerry was shouting my name in front of the house.
Pippa put an arm around my waist. “It’s okay. Stay up here.”
“God.” I covered my mouth. What was wrong with him? “Should I call the police?”
She shook her head, patting my arm. “Lucas has them on the phone. He wanted them to hear the shouting.”
“I’m s-so sorry.” I gulped, wrapping my arms around myself.
“Hang on, there’s tissue right here. Not your fault. No—take a deep breath. I think he’s gone now.”
My vision was blurry. Why won’t he leave me alone? Pippa guided me to a chair, and I stumbled into it. In all of our years together, I’d never imagined I’d need to go to a women’s shelter to leave Gerry—that he’d tear down both of our lives.
“I’ll l-leave tomorrow.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I have a friend I can stay with.”
Pippa patted my cheek. “You come back here when you need to. We’ll miss you.”
More tears burned my eyes. “Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.”
She hugged me and helped me back to my room.
Maria called ten minutes later.
“Jesus,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I croaked.
“That fucking asshole. Pippa said you’re leaving—where will you go?”
I cleared my throat. “With Dominic—if…I don’t know, I can handle it. Or I’ll stay with one of my sisters for a couple days.”
“What about work?”
“Gerry—well, I’ve been suspended. They’re looking into a couple complaints. And the naked photos online. It’s him.”
She whistled. “We need to think up some serious revenge. It’s too much.”
I gulped, squeezing my eyes shut and shaking my head.
People cheered close to Maria. “Do you want company? Pippa just got ahold of me.”
“No, thank you. I’m going to bed.”
“Let me know if you change your mind. And come back to us anytime. I mean it.”
“Thank you. Really.” My throat was too tight—I wanted to say so much more.
“Hey, there’s a corner of the garage where you can put some stuff. Wake me up in the morning. I’ll text Pippa now about it. Sleep. You’ll get through this—or some Good Samaritan will murder Gerry, whichever comes first.”