Page 16 of Marrying My Ex's Boss

“Oh, I didn’t know when I invited her family; they were going to steal her away from me.”

“You invited them? I thought this was their place?”

“Yeah, but if I hadn’t called them, they wouldn’t be here now.”

“Stop pouting, you overgrown man-child. This is what you wanted, isn’t it? For her to be surrounded by her loved ones.”

“I guess.”

I kicked at the sand with my foot and pouted some more. Yes, I pout. I haven’t done it since I was about five, but this situation seemed to warrant it. Bunch of woman stealing hogs. I heard the door slam and perked up when I saw her coming towards us.

Act like you got some damn sense and put your tongue back in your mouth, you ingrate.” Monique walked away after scolding me but I wasn’t listening. I was fixated on my girl, who had changed into another one of the outfits I’d bought her.

This time, it was a cute pre-summer dress that was perfect for this weather, and I’d remembered to pair it with a shawl to help stave off the ocean breeze, which could get pretty cool in the evenings this time of year.

“Hi, baby, what’s up? You okay?” She just stood there staring at me before nodding her head.

“Wanna go for a walk on the beach?”

“Sure, that sounds good.”

“You warm enough, right.” I reached out and pulled the shawl a little snugger around her shoulders and neck and caught her looking at me with an odd look on her face.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m trying to figure out why you’re so good at this. Why, you seem to know all the right moves.”

“Beats me; I’ve never gone to these lengths for a love interest before. I guess it comes easily when it’s your person. You don’t have to second guess or overthink; you just go with your gut.”

“I’m your person?”

“Damn straight.” It’s been a long time since something as simple as holding hands made me smile inside. But when she slipped her hand in mine, I could’ve sworn the moon got brighter.

* * *

JUSTINE

* * *

This is unbelievable and unlike anything that’s ever happened to me before. Even my Dad, the person I trust most in my life, has been sold. I guess I should take his word for it since he was the only one who saw through Paul years ago and never liked him.

Everyone else saw what a good catch he was and pushed for the wedding, but my Dad always kept a bit of distance between them. I remember the night before our wedding, he’d offered to ship me off somewhere, which I’d brushed off as a joke, but I know now that he was only partly playing.

So, for this man to now tell me that he had a good feeling about Marcus, then asked what did Justice have to say, I knew I was in trouble. It just seems so damn preposterous. I mean, my divorce hasn’t even been started yet and I’m already here.

It almost feels wrong not to be wallowing in self-pity, but I haven’t had the chance because Marcus was just there. I keep trying to make myself feel all the things I know I should be feeling, going so far as to try to force it, but it’s just not happening.

I won’t pretend to be happy and skipping for joy, but I don’t feel that heart-wrenching loss that you’d expect when faced with a situation like this. I think part of it is because whatever I felt for Paul died as soon as I confirmed that he was having an affair, especially after reading some of the disparaging things he’d said to her about me.

But this is nuts. ‘You just keep walking and holding his hand and keep your mouth shut. You ain’t fixing to mess this up for me. How long does a divorce take in this state anyway?’

It depends; why?

‘I got an appointment with some dick. What do you mean why?’

“You and your twin at it again? You’re squeezing my hand.” He explained how he knew before I could ask since he wasn’t even looking at me that time. I tried pulling away, but he tightened his grip on my hand, and we kept walking.

“You know none of this is normal, right?”

---