Page 7 of Til Divorce Do Us Start

He smirks. “Then why are you always so worked up around me?”

“Oh please. If you’re dumb enough to confuse anger with flirting, then you probably thinkeveryone’sin love with you,” I snap. “Newsflash: most people just think you’re an ass.”

He arches a brow, like he finds that amusing instead of insulting.

“I’m done with this,” I mutter, throwing my hands up. “I’ll go home and figure my own shit out.”

I turn, but he grabs my arm—not rough, just enough to stop me. “What shit...wifey?”

I smack his hand away, but he only grins and turns me back around. “Seriously, Noelle. What shit?”

It would be the ultimate punishment for him. He clearly doesn’t want me here—and I could make it hell. Just like being tethered tohimfeels like hell to me. I could even make it dramatic, roll up with suitcases and throw myself into his life like a bad storm.

But I don’t.Not yet at least.

Rolling my eyes, I yank my arm free. “You don’t care, so don’tpush.”

He grits his teeth. “Just give me a key, and I’ll give you one. We’ll have dinner once a week, smile when necessary, and stay in the judge’s good graces.”

Without another word, he heads to the backyard, and I watch—half annoyed, half impressed—as he rolls arealboulder aside with ridiculous ease. His arms flex, his jaw tightens, and then he strolls back in holding a key like it cost him nothing.

He dangles it just out of reach. “Ask nicely.”

“Colin,” I groan.

He lifts it higher. “Try again. That was whining.”

I step in closer, my patience fraying. “Pleasegive me the key... so I don’t have to explain to a judge that myunwilling husbandis actively sabotaging our court-ordered fake relationship.”

He watches me, his gaze so intense I feel like it’s blistering my soul. His cologne is so fresh, like a sunny day. I hate how warm he feels, how his gaze feels. I hate how easy it would be to wrap myself around him or climb him. I hate the fact that just being close makes my mouth water, makes me want to ignore our past and embrace him for the sexy man he still is.

Instead, I stomp on his foot, making his arm drop and take the key. “Bickering will be sweet compared to what I’ll put you through.”

Colin catches my hand. “Hell invites hell, Noelle.”

“Is that your version of a vow?” I mock. “To have and to hate.”

“Three months do us part,” he says.

I think I hear him mutter something as I walk away, but I don’t care. I have enough on my plate without dealing with myhusband’sgrumbling.

I get into my car and glance back at Colin’s apartment—then down at the eviction notice folded on the passenger seat. My stomach twists.

I’ll find another solution. Therehaveto be other solutions. A sublet, a friend’s couch, a short-term rental. Anything. But if nothing works... I might not have a choice.

As much as I hate the idea—especially after walking out of a half-finished conversation about exactlynotdoing this—I might have to move in. The place is big enough. I saw three rooms, which means I can have my own space. I’ll come home after work, stay out of the living room, keep to myself.

We’ll cross paths for dinner. Maybe breakfast. That’s it. An hour a day, max. Ninety hours over less than three months. Just a little more than two weeks of regular office life.

Not coming to blows with the man who couldn't care less about my existence—or how humiliating this whole situation is—will be a full-time job.

Seventy-six days left.

Chapter 4 - Colin

Today has been too long, like every day I spend with the managers. Once a week, I make sure to check in with the workers. I touch base with HR, managers, accountants, and everyone else just to make sure that everyone who has complaints or problems can address them as soon as possible.

It’s necessary to keep a business moving forward successfully, but it’s exhausting. There’s nothing I want more than to settle in at home, work out, have dinner, and relax alone. The call of my quiet apartment has me pushing the speed limit.

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