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Another ripple of embarrassment coursed through Brit.
Damian grabbed the boxes from Violet, and casually said, “We weren’t sure when you’d be back. I sold it to Brit because it was just sitting in the garage. I can buy you a new car when you’re ready.”
Violet smiled. “Of course. Oh, that was a good decision. Sorry, I didn’t mean to start anything, I was just curious,” she said.
He’d buy her another car. His wife. Was that a re-affirming of his commitment? A part of Brit selfishly missed those moments when he showed indifference about his ex. Gosh, I already hate myself for being this petty. “I should get going. You guys have a lot to catch up on, and it’s been a long day,” she said.
Violet touched her elbow. “No, please. You stay. I’ve been alone for so long it’s such a treat to see you again. My dear Brit. Tell me, what have I missed? Are you dating anyone?”
Brit shook her head quickly. Heat spread across her cheeks and neck. You have no idea…
* * *
Damian dashedthrough the parking lot, then around the hallways leading to his office. He had to go to the hospital for morning rounds, but needed to talk to Brit. For the past two days, he’d tried calling and texting, but she hadn’t replied to him. Today, according to the schedule, she was supposed to work for a few hours to help his assistant, and he would take full advantage of the time to explain his situation to her.
The pizza night, two days prior, had been awkward at best. Perhaps Violet hadn’t sensed the tension between Damian and Brit, because the children stole the show with their stories about school and classmates. But Brit had barely spoken, and used an excuse to dash from his place with Libby as soon as she could.
Poor Brit. He hadn’t meant to hurt her.
“Dr. Forrest,” Adriana said.
“Where’s Brit? Is she here yet?” he asked.
“Brit emailed me a letter of resignation. She’s busy after that conference she attended, and won’t be able to do temp jobs anymore,” his secretary said.
Frustration clawed his heart. “What?”
“Yes. I’m sure we can find someone else.”
Fuck. He turned around, ignoring his assistant’s calling him in the back. This time, even though he jogged instead of walking, somehow it took twice as long to get in his car. If Brit thought she could ghost him after he opened his heart to her, she was dead wrong. He drove to the department store, imagining that’s where he’d find her.
Twenty minutes later, sweat covered his forehead as he spotted her behind the counter. A customer asked for advice, and Brit showed her some eyeshadow options.
In the past, he would have waited for his turn, but the palpitations in his heart warned him he either spoke now or inhaled some blood pressure medication. “Brit, we need to talk,” he said curtly.
The groveling he’d rehearsed in his mind was replaced by the frustration of her wanting to simply slip out of his life. Did she value her friendship with Violet more than her feelings for him? If so, what kind of love was that?
She didn’t look at him. “I’m with a customer now, I’ll be right with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
She drew in a breath, murmured something he couldn’t hear to the lady on the swivel chair, and walked to the other side of the counter, empty. “What?”
“You’re ghosting me. You haven’t responded my calls or texts, and quit without at least letting me know.”
“You knew I wasn’t going to work for you forever.”
“That’s not my point.” He leaned over the counter. “Brit, look at me. I didn’t know Violet was at my home.”
“I believe you.”
“Good.”
“I don’t want to be in the middle of your marriage.”
“What marriage? We’re sleeping in different rooms.” And he’d been honest with Violet. He hadn’t mentioned Brit’s name, but he told her he was seeing someone, and as far as he was concerned, their marriage had ended the day she walked out on them. While Violet was gone, he’d sent divorce papers through his lawyer which she hadn’t signed—but that hadn’t changed how he felt about being done with her.
“I don’t want to know.” She held up her arm to keep him from speaking. “I can’t know. Listen, Violet went through a rough patch. She’s back and I don’t want her to go to a dark place again. If she knows we were together, she might. Who knows?”
