Page 123 of Forever with the CEO

I realized I’d been massaging a spot under my right shoulder. I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Problems at work?” Penny asked.

“No, it’s not that. We got news. Jim’s parents pulled back their petition for custody.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Gran said. “Now poor Allison can stop worrying.”

“Exactly.”

“Fantastic,” Spencer said. “Then why are you tense? Or is it not related?”

“It is,” I admitted.

He frowned. “I’m not following.”

Penny and Gran were sitting next to each other. They exchanged a glance, and then Gran gave me a sad smile. “This means it’s time for the divorce.”

I couldn’t even bring myself to say yes. I just nodded and pressed two fingers on that fucking sore spot again. When had it clenched so tight?

“It’s what we agreed on. And yesterday, Allison brought the papers home from Hugo’s office.”

“Oh.” Penny sounded stunned.

“You’ve already signed?” Gran asked.

“No, we didn’t have time to chat about it at all. I just found the papers this morning.”

“You’re having second thoughts,” Spencer exclaimed.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing their living room. I normally liked debating important decisions with my family. My thoughts had been a jumbled mess the entire day. Maybe laying out everything would help.

“I was blindsided. I think that’s the problem. I’d completely forgotten.”

Penny sat down on the couch. “How is that even possible?”

I shrugged. “Because everything was moving along smoothly. Frankly, I always figured it would take longer to get the issue resolved.”

“You don’t want to go back to the way things were,” Gran said.

As usual, she had the ability to get to the bottom of things in record time.

“Exactly,” I admitted. “I’ve always been good with the way my life is.”

“But now, you’ve had a taste of something different, and you’re surprised that you liked it,” Spencer finished for me.

Penny clapped her hands together. “I’m sorry, but this is exactly how I was hoping things would turn out.”

“All of us did,” Gran added.

“Do you want a drink?” Spencer asked.

“No, I’m driving.”

“Well, I need a drink for this conversation.” He went to the kitchen and poured himself a Scotch.

“I don’t understand. What’s the problem?” Penny asked.

“You’re not sure what Allison wants,” Gran said.

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