Page 96 of Wild Justice

“You listen? Okay, let’s test that,” Sophie said, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

“What state was I born in, Ben? We’ve been together for over a year. You should know that. If you can answer that question correctly, I’ll unpack my things. So go ahead. Where was I born? I know I’ve mentioned it more than once.”

For sure, it was the Midwest. He remembered they talked about how he’d gone to school there, and she’d been brought up not far away. He just couldn’t remember exactly which one. Illinois, Indiana, maybe Ohio, or Iowa. He’d once seen her wear a college t-shirt, but shit, he couldn’t remember which it was.

“Ohio. You were born in Ohio.”

She took a deep breath and shook her head.

“Michigan, Ben. I went to Michigan State, too. My college roommate came and visited last month, remember? She told stories about our time there. But you weren’t listening.”

“I’ll listen— Shit, you aren’t perfect either. There were plenty of times I could have been mad, but I let it slide.”

“Just stop,” Sophie laughed. “I know I’m not perfect. And you and I both know that you’re not in love with me, and you’re not going to do any changing for a woman you don’t love. Maybe you will someday, for someone, but not for me. I’ve faced the reality, and you need to, also. This isn’t some great romantic love affair. It wasn’t even that great of a relationship. And now it’s over. Goodbye, Bennett Reilly. I hope you have a great life. I truly do. You deserve it, and so do I.”

Sophie did deserve better. Whether he did was up for debate. He hadn’t meant to be an asshole, but clearly, she thought he was. It didn’t matter that he thought he’d done his best.

“You deserve it,” he agreed. “I’m sorry that this didn’t work out.”

Arguing back and forth about who was at fault here wasn’t productive. He wasn’t going to change her mind at this point. She’d already checked out of the relationship. She’d packed her things and had been ready to walk out. Wait…?

“Were you just going to leave? Leave me a note or something like that?”

“You really don’t have a high opinion of me, do you? No, I was going to tell you face to face. You just arrived earlier than I thought you would.” Sophie reached down and picked up the box. “Like I said, if there’s anything I forgot, just text me. Julie will come get it. I meant what I said, Ben. I hope you have a great life.”

“You, too. And I am sorry.”

“Ben, you don’t even know what you’re apologizing for.”

He didn’t bother to reply. There was nothing left to say. He opened the door for her and was shocked to see his business partner Martin standing on the other side.

“I was about to knock,” Martin said, glancing to where Sophie was standing with her moving box. “Is this a bad time? I can come back.”

Martin only lived a few blocks away and often stopped by for a beer and to talk business and sports. The doorman knew him well and wouldn’t have thought anything about letting him upstairs.

“Actually, it’s the perfect time,” Sophie said, exiting the apartment. “It’s nice to see you, Martin.”

“It’s nice to see you, too.”

“I think I interrupted something,” Martin said.

“Yes, you did, and thank you. It was becoming awkward.” Ben stepped back to let his friend in. “Come on in. How about a drink? I could use one.”

Martin glanced down to where Ben had left his suitcase.

“I wasn’t sure you would be home yet, but I saw your lights on.”

“The flight was on time.”

Ben poured two whiskeys and handed one to Martin.

“How about we drink to new beginnings?” Ben joked. “Even if we didn’t see them coming.”

“I take it you and Sophie have hit a bump in the road,” Martin remarked. “But I’m glad that you want to embrace new beginnings tonight. The fact is, I wanted to talk to you before you went into the office tomorrow. A few things have happened while you’ve been gone.”

Martin Thorogood was one of the three partners at Bennett’s firm. There was Ben himself, who handled the business side of things, Martin, who was the money man and had invested a great deal into the firm, and then Scott, who was the technological brains.

Scott was a software genius, but half the time, he walked around barefoot because he didn’t know where he’d left his shoes. He was the stereotypical absent-minded professor. They had all three met in that roundabout way that happened when a person was young. Someone was a friend of someone else who was a friend with another mutual, and they all ended up at the same gathering over and over until they became friends, too.

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