Page 40 of The Roman's Woman (A Singular Obsession)

“And were not going to start now,” she said resolutely.

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t have ten hours or one of those really long psychiatrist couches.”

He exhaled heavily. “Okay. Can you sum up why you’re giving this Richard your father’s house?”

“Notgiving, selling,” she insisted. “He’s way more attached to the place than I am. Richard is the son he never had—his heir, literally. He was my father’s protégé at the University. Richard has even been awarded the position my father had, the Sotheby chair of Sociology.”

“So he’s inherited your father’s jobandhe wants your father’s house?”

She shrugged. “He says it’s more convenient to the University than his place—which it is, but only slightly. Personally, I think he just misses the old man. They were tight.”

“It would seem so,” he said with a nod, still watching her with a mushy expression of sympathy.

“It’s actually a little creepy. Richard also wants his car.”

Gio’s face soured. “I’m sorry, what?”

“My dad had a 1970 Chevette. He was always tinkering on it during the weekends. I used to have to sit out in the garage with him if I wanted to talk to him at all.”

Gio snapped his fingers. “That’s why you hardly went inside the house.”

She smiled sardonically. “Yes, smart alec, that’s right. Even in the freezing cold I sat in the garage huddled next to a space heater so I could have a twenty-minute long conversation with him every Sunday. Then I would go inside for a cup of tea—alone—and then I would go home.”

He nodded. “And you sign the house over to Richard today. Are you going to sell him the car, too?”

“Probably. I have a car. One with a backseat that isn’t held in place with armature wire.”

“So…where are you meeting Richard? At the house?”

“No, at a coffee shop near his office. It’s across the street from Kelly’s place, which is where I’ll be heading for the bitch session I will be sure to need afterward.”

His laugh was forced. “Well, that sounds like a plan. I’ll call you after my meeting.”

“Sounds good,” she said, watching him from beneath her lashes.

It wasn’t that difficult to guess his mood now, but he was doing a good job of faking acceptance as he leaned over to kiss her cheek. Impulsively, she grabbed his tie and kissed him on the mouth instead, hard.

“Don’t hit any birds in that chopper. That’s an order.”

The light in his eyes warmed, making them a shade closer to honey. “I’ll be sure to relay that to my pilot.”

“Do that.”

With that, he left and she dragged herself to the shower to get ready. It wasn’t till after she’d finished that she finally glanced at the bedside clock.

It read six-thirty am.

Damn morning people.

****

Sophia paused in front of the coffee shop, straightening her skirt in an attempt to procrastinate before facing her ex. She was wearing one of her new outfits, a figure-hugging dress with a black skirt and attached white silk top. It was cut with an empire waist, a style she’d avoided for years because she thought it made her bust look too big. Gavin, Gio’s UK shopper and her new favorite person, had convinced her otherwise.

She was now wearing cuts and silhouettes she’d never considered dressing in before. They flattered her figure without making her appear unprofessional, giving her a boost in confidence she hadn’t been aware she needed.

Yes, her size had always been an issue, but she was smart and driven. Her confidence came from her ability and success at work, not her appearance.

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