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I can see the coffee shop’s outdoor seating area from my driver’s seat. Jess has this Travis guy wrapped around her finger. It’s unnerving to watch how she orders him around: he’s up and down, getting the sun umbrella right, tossing her trash for her, grabbing her a cup of water. I wonder how badly I was under her spell for those years I was with her.
It feels sort of surreal to watch her ordering around a new guy.
I chose to only see the best in her. I ignored the rest.
I was wearing rose-colored glasses.
Then a really unnerving thought hits me: Am I doing that with Hazel, too?
I stood in the coffee shop, judging Jess and Travis because they quickly got together. When she said that thing about how they ‘made it official’ during a wild weekend in Vegas, I cringed.
Because… really?
Marriage is sacred.
Love is sacred.
It’s got to be based on genuine feelings, real intimacy.
I doubt the two of them even know what they’re doing. They’re two lonely and lost people trying to grab whatever pleasure they can.
Jess wanted a fat diamond.
This dude, who knows? I can’t help but wonder if he wanted a tall blonde in heels with the right number of tattoos. Heck, he might have even tipped the scales and bought that new ink on her arm for her, just so she’d look the part.
I’m not a cynical guy.
Not really.
I’d rather look at the bright side and see the best in people.
But here in my truck, as I watch my ex and her new fiancé, I’m really struggling to do that.
When I realize it’s been an hour since Hazel texted me, I rummage for my laptop. The battery’s low. Shoot.
I know that the inside of the coffee shop is packed—there’s no way I’ll be able to sit and plug in without waiting around first.
A table in the outdoor seating area has just opened up. It’s near the brick wall, where I’ve plugged into exterior outlets before.
It’s also right behind Jess and Travis.
Great.
I’m going to have to sit near my ex while talking to Hazel and some lawyer.
“Here goes nothing,’’ I tell Nola as I give her a last pat on the head.
She whines.
She likes this about as much as I do.
Chapter 23
Hazel
I have worked from home for six years.
When it comes to virtual meetings, I’ve seen it all.
