Page 79 of Miss Understood

“Thank you.” I reach into my bag and pull out a folder. Mateo is not going to like this, but I don’t have much of a choice. “One more thing. There’s a favor I need to ask of you.”

Mateo’s eyes go wide. “Do not tell me that’s what I think it is.”

“It is.” My throat tightens.

Divorce papers.

I waited two weeks for Jesse to initiate it, expecting to be served every time someone I didn’t recognize made eye contact. After all, the jig was up; there was nothing else to hold on to. This was the final tie to cut, then we could both officially go our separate ways.

But the papers never came.

Drawing them up myself felt like pulling out my own teeth, but I couldn’t wait any longer or ask someone else to do it. It felt too personal, like having another party in this relationship wouldn’t do justice to whatever I felt when we were together.

I’m honestly not sure anymore how my clients let me in. How they open the door to their most intimate conversations, using me as a shield, a defender, a lion to fight for them. I have a newfound appreciation for helping them through it.

And maybe that hurts a little more, that I don’t need the barrier in my own case. After all, it’s a reminder that what Jesse and I had was never real to begin with.

No assets to split.

No property to divide.

No finances to separate.

Unless he decides to fight for something, which I know he won’t. He could have fought for it that morning in his apartment. He could have grabbed me and claimed what was his. Because I was.

His.

“If he wants to talk or doesn’t agree with the terms, my attorney’s contact information is inside,” I say. Deep down, I hope he doesn’t use it. That if he does have an issue or a question, he’ll come directly to me.

It’s wishful thinking on my part.

Mateo shakes his head, and I know he’s uncomfortable that I’m asking this of him, but there’s no way I can face Jesse myself to hand them over.

“I need to get the boss man a few files for a meeting this afternoon.” Mateo holds the folder up. “I’ll hand him this. If he doesn’t kill me, then I can meet you for lunch.”

“I owe you.”

Mateo rubs my shoulder. “You do. And on that note, I have something for you.”

He pulls out his phone and thumbs through it before I hear my own phone ping in my purse.

“What was that?”

Mateo wipes his dark hair off his forehead before planting both hands on my shoulders. “A video. It was supposed to be blackmail.” He quirks an eyebrow and smiles. “But, given the circumstances…just watch it for me.”

My eyebrows pinch in confusion, but he steps back before I can ask more.

“Henry’s at noon work for you?” he says.

“Is there anywhere else I’d eat a burger?” I tick an eyebrow up at him, and he laughs.

“Noon, promise.” Mateo waves at me with the divorce papers in hand, and it feels ominous. Like I’m saying goodbye to the place where I started my career. My work family. Brad.

Jesse.

His name makes my heart ache.

I know he’s here today—whispers travel louder than people realize. That, and the fact that the walls breathe his presence like he’s in their blood. I know he’s feet away, behind the closed door at the end of the hall, but my body won’t let me get there.

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