Page 17 of Buttons

She waves away my thanks. “It’s practical. And I could help with the transition at work, too. I know several excellent executive assistants who could step in temporarily.”

“Temporarily,” I repeat.

“Until Elowen comes to her senses.”

By the time we finish lunch, a plan has taken shape. Carmella will attend the gala, and she’ll also put me in touch with a temporary assistant. Thank God, because Virginia is just awful. I don’t know what my wife sees in her.

Everything that was spinning out of control is suddenly manageable again.

I pay the bill, declining her offer to split it. Some habits die hard.

Outside the restaurant, she squeezes my arm. “It will all work out, Julian, one way or another.”

In the privacy of my car, I finally pull out my phone. Still no messages from Elowen.

Fine. I’ll break down first.

Virginia mentioned your resignation. Please coordinate with HR regarding outstanding projects and transition materials. Your personal items can be collected as arranged.

I know that Virginia says she already has coordinated with HR, but since I have no idea where my files or schedule looks like, I’m hoping she’ll elaborate more.

I start my car, straighten my shoulders, and check my reflection in the rearview mirror. I look more in control already. By next week, with Carmella on my arm at the gala, Elowen will see exactly what she’s giving up, and she’ll come running back.

Chapter 6

Elowen

The keycard chirps against the electronic lock, and the door swings open effortlessly. I found this place through a luxury leasing agency that specializes in corporate relocations after a brief hotel stay. It was a frantic, midnight search, but the five-thousand-dollar monthly rent bought me exactly what I needed. I know I’m privileged. It’s amazing what money can do. Yet, somehow, it’s quaint compared to my place with Julian.

Behind me, Leo clutches my jacket, his small fingers digging into the fabric like he’s afraid I might disappear, too. Meanwhile, Meredith pushes past us both, dragging her stuffed unicorn.

“It smells like the outside,” Leo whispers.

He’s right. The apartment doesn’t carry the scent of a home; it smells of industrial lemon and the salt of the ocean. The open floor plan is dominated by a wall of glass. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the dark, churning expanse of the Pacific.At this hour, the water is a bruised purple, dotted with the distant, flickering lights of ferries.

I flick on the recessed lighting. The walls are a crisp gallery white. There is furniture here, thanks to online delivery services. I purposely chose items that drew my eye, uncaring how well they matched each other. A low-profile charcoal sofa sits in the center of the living area, facing the view. A marble island anchors the kitchen, surrounded by four slightly mismatched barstools.

Nothing matches. Julian would hate it.

Good.

“When are we going home?” Leo asks, still attached to my side. He’s a lot like Julian, especially with how both don’t enjoy change. Meredith views change as an adventure; Leo views it as torture.

I set down our bags and crouch to his level. His eyes—Julian’s eyes—search mine for reassurance I’m honestly not sure I can give.

“This is our home now, little Leo lion. Just for a while.”

“But what about my room? And my toys?”

“We’ll get your things,” I tell him, though I have no idea how I’ll manage that particular battlefield. Guess I could go while Julian is at work and the kids are at school. “Right now, it’s very late, and we need to sleep.”

I had originally planned on a hotel, but this apartment felt like a clean break. The vacancy was immediate. I completed the background check and wired the deposit within an hour.

Meredith has already disappeared down what little hallway the apartment has. Her voice echoes back to us, high and bright. “I found the bedrooms! I get the one next to Mom!”

I had a local furniture boutique deliver three mattresses and frames this afternoon. I thought about replacing the rest of thestaged furniture, but I have to be careful. Until Julian and I settle the matter of child support, I need to remain frugal where I can.

Leo’s grip on my jacket tightens. “I want my own bed.”