Chapter Sixteen - Michaela
Chapter Sixteen
MICHAELA
I STAND ACROSS brOADWAY debating whether or not to go back inside after last night. I mean, what was that? It feels like a fever dream. The feeling of his touch on my skin is the only thing I’ve been able to think about since I left this very same building not even twelve hours ago. Fuck, I’m so screwed. Am I supposed to act like last night didn’t happen? I can do that…
No, I can’t.
I’m already late. I could say I’m sick, not coming in. But that would look even worse, wouldn’t it? Avoiding him will only make it more awkward than if we face the situation head-on.
At least I know that he won’t tell Josh. I’m safe from my brother’s wrath and from having to explain sleeping with someone who isn’t my husband. How do I find myself in these situations? Taking a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders and walk toward the front door. It’s only two more days, I can do this…
“He’s not here,” Liv says when I step off the elevator. “And you’re late.”
“What do you mean he’s not here?”
“Sent a memo that he’d be working from home today.” A smirk tugs in the corner of her lips. “Said you had a long night getting things prepped for meeting Sasha tomorrow.”
That’s one way to put it.
“I’m surprised you’re here this early if that’s the case.”
“I considered working from home but there’s a lot that needs to be done. And if he’s going to play hooky, someone needs to be responsible.”
“Well, if you changed your mind, I wouldn’t blame you.”
Part of me thinks it’s a better idea not to go back into that office because all I can think about is his head between my legs. God, just the thought sends a shock straight to my core.
Opening the door, nothing looks out of place. There’s no evidence of our heated work session. But that doesn’t stop the aching between my legs that reminds me it did, in fact, happen… Honestly, it’s a good thing he isn’t here because something tells me we wouldn’t be getting any of the right kind of work done.
Fuck, I’m in so much trouble.
“You wanna grab dinner?” I glance up from my computer. Liv stands in the doorway, ready to leave for the day, Caitlin at her side.
“Cait, what are you doing here?”
“I told her you’d been holed away for hours without food or water.”
Cait starts to pick up my purse, “C’mon, we can go get some bánh mì and get some—”
“I don’t want to go out. I have a lot to do before I meet Sasha tomorrow. Have you ever tried to plan a fundraising event in less than a week? It’s not as easy as it sounds!”
“Get up, we’re going to get food and take it back to your place so you can spill your guts,” Cait demands.
“Spill my guts about what?”
“What’s going on between you and Finn.”
Five minutes of arguing and a little over an hour later, we’re walking into my apartment with a bag full of fresh bánh mì and fries from McDonald’s that Liv couldn’t live without. I haven’t let anyone come over since David left, and I’m praying to God this doesn’t bite me in the ass. “David not home?” Cait asks kicking her heels off by the front door. Liv follows suit before plopping onto the couch with her fries.
“Nope.”
“When’s the last time he was home?”
“Um, it’s been a little bit.” Not a total lie.
I pull a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the fridge and grab three plates from the cabinet. As I reach for the bag of food, I see my phone light up with a text from ‘Jabba.’ I’m right back where I started… Thinking of Finn Sheffield and the way his mouth felt against my skin, the fire of his touch, the way he made me feel beautiful and sexy and—
“Who’s David?” Liv asks.
“Michaela’s husband, I’d think he was made up if I hadn’t been at the wedding," Cait snickers.
Shit, I almost forgot they were here. Note to self: ignore the text, and do not think about Finn or last night while the girls are here.
“I didn’t know you were married!” Liv’s mouth hangs open as I walk out of the kitchen with dinner and wine. "You don't even wear a wedding ring. Wait I thought—”
“David isn’t home much, he works a lot,” I shrug. "I don't always wear it, with it being a family heirloom and all."
Sure, let's go with that.
“What’s he do?”
“Works for a Senator. It’s decent work, but—”
“He wants her to move to D.C.,” Cait rolls her eyes and pops the bottle of wine.
“You don’t want to?” Liv asks.
“Not really, New York has always been my dream.”
“What would you even do out there? It’s not like we have an office,” Cait says like she doesn’t know the answer.
“He makes enough money. I could stay home, play housewife, just like his mother,” I say.
“So, you live apart instead.” It’s not a question, and I wonder if Cait knows more than she lets on. Cait finally looks up from filling our glasses to meet my gaze and I’m too tongue-tied to answer. She hands me a glass of wine continuing, “I’m not judging. It’s strange, but you gotta do what works for you. Every marraige is different.”
“I’m going to be completely honest, I thought you and Finn had a thing going on,” Liv says. “The way you guys go back and forth all the time.” She blows out a breath as if she were hot, then quirks an eyebrow and pops another fry into her mouth. I practically choke on my wine.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the same. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife,” Cait agrees.
“Oh my God, shut up,” I beg taking a large gulp of wine. This cannot be happening right now.
“You can’t say you’ve never thought about it!”
“Seriously! I mean, have you seen him?” Liv giggles.
I chew on my bottom lip just thinking about his body. Because yes, I have seen him.
“OMG, you’re blushing!”
“Can we please talk about something else?” I plead and pull the sandwiches from the bag, separating them on the plates. “Seriously, anything else.”
There’s hesitation in Cait’s voice before she and Liv share a glance. Liv nods before Cait says, “Mic, you know we love you, right?”
“I’m starting to question it a little.”
“We’re worried about you. You’ve always been all over the place, but it’s been worse than normal.”
“What is this some kind of intervention?” They share the same look from moments ago, they don’t believe me. Hell, I don’t believe me. “You guys, I’m fine. I promise, I just—”
I should tell them. It’s not like I’ll be able to keep the charade up much longer. Once the divorce is final, it’s going to be hard to maintain the illusion. And what happens when David moves on and gets married again? It’ll be the big spectacle his mother always wanted and I didn’t allow.
“We’re not here to judge,” Liv squeezes my hand gently. “We want to make sure you’re okay.”
I can do this. I can tell them. It’ll be good practice for when I tell my family. I just have to do it… Like ripping off a band-aid. I down the rest of my glass hoping to find confidence at the bottom, but all I'm left with is more nerves. “David and I are getting a divorce.”
They don’t say anything, and I wonder if they heard me because I barely heard it myself. As much as it hurts to say it aloud, to admit my marriage failed, there’s a weight lifted off my shoulders. It feels good to know I don’t have to pretend anymore. At least, not with them.
“Shit,” Cait sighs. “Mic, when did this—”
“Italy.”
“That was three months ago!”
Liv downs her wine, the shock written all over her face. Can’t say I blame her. Not only did she learn I’m married, but I’m getting divorced too, all in a matter of ten minutes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cait murmurs.
I shrug. “No one else knows.”
“You haven’t even told your parents? Michaela!”
“I know! Okay? I know,” I sigh. “I don’t need the lecture, Cait. It’s been hard enough. I’m aware it’s messed up, but I just… The thought of disappointing them, I can't bear it. They’ve been married for over forty years; they don’t believe in divorce. They’d never understand.”
“I’m sure they’d understand if you explain it to them.”
Maybe.
Maybe not.
I think that’s the real reason I’ve avoided telling my family. What happens if they don’t understand?
“Does Nina know?” Liv asks and I shake my head. “Michaela!”
“I know, she’s going to kill me for not telling her,” I cover my face with my hands.
“This explains a lot, honestly,” Caitlin sips her wine and steals a fry from Liv. “You’ve always been a little spacey, but it’s been worse lately.”
“Just promise you won’t say anything to anyone.” I look up at both of them. They wear identical sympathetic looks — eyes full of pity hidden behind small smiles. “I’m going to tell everyone, I just… I need to figure out how to do it.”
“That’s not our place,” Cait shares a nod with Liv. “You need to tell them.”
“I will,” I nod and repeat the words, more for myself than them. My stomach rumbles as I begin digging into one of my sandwiches, I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I smelled the delicious scents of Vietnamese food walking into the restaurant. Probably shouldn’t go so long without eating next time.
“Oh, and I slept with Finn.”
We spent the rest night giggling like a bunch of school girls, watching shitty rom-coms, and drinking wine… It was exactly what I needed. Being able to talk freely was refreshing. It was nice not having to worry I might say the wrong thing. There is absolutely nothing that can bring me down from the high I’m on. Except the face staring back at me when I open the office door.
Shit, he already looks annoyed, and it’s not even 9:00 A.M.
“No breakfast today?” I joke but it only earns an eye roll.
Brown eyes avert to the screen in front of them. God help me. This is going to be so awkward, I’ll take fighting and bickering for three hundred, Alex.
“You like him,” Cait said last night when Liv went to the restroom. I tried to deny it, but she wouldn’t let me. “It’s okay, you’re allowed to find happiness after David.”
“It’s not exactly after David, is it? We’re not even officially divorced yet.”
“You’ve been separated for three months. Fighting over a ring is a pretty lame reason to hold up the process, but hey, what do I know?” She shrugged and slipped into her heels when Liv rejoined us. I hugged them goodbye and spent the rest of the night thinking about everything we talked about and facing Finn in the morning.
“We have to meet Sasha at twelve outside the park. At that time of day, we need to leave by eleven—”
“Great. Since you’ve got this handled, I’m going to head out.” Finn slams the laptop closed and stuffs it into his bag. Without another word, he stands from his seat and begins to pack his bag.
Liv opens the door. “The board is requesting—”
“Whatever it is, Michaela can handle it. I have a flight to catch.”.
“A flight?” I stand from my chair. “Finn, we have an event to plan!”
“You have an event to plan. You’re still on this project for two more days. That was the deal, right? I have somewhere to be.”
I lean across the table taking hold of his phone before he can grab it and run. “This is your event. Your business. You can keep running off—”
“Just because we fucked Shortcake, doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.” The glare he shoots at me sends a chill down my spine. He grips the phone and tugs it ever so slightly. “Now, hand over the phone. I have a flight to catch.”