Page 116 of Cryptic Curse

---

Once he’s gone, I pull out my phone.I couldn’t tell Vinnie this, but the real reason I wanted to take an Uber is because I want to go straight to Hawk’s place.

I couldn’t ask Vinnie to drive me there, and I can’t wait another second.

I’m no longer married.

And I want to make love with Hawk.

Real love.Not just his words spurring me to an orgasm.

I pull up the Uber app, and?—

“Daniela Agudelo?”

I turn back toward the courthouse.A clerk dressed in a navy suit and blue tie stands on the steps.

“Yes?Does Judge Matthews need something else?”

“No, ma’am.Somehow we missed you.A gift was dropped off for you at the courthouse earlier today.”

I walk forward.“A gift?”

“Yeah, it happens all the time.Usually for people getting married.”

“I didn’t get married,” I say.“I got an annulment.”

“That is odd.”He shrugs.“But not wholly unheard of.Sometimes people celebrate divorce, too.”He hands me a teddy bear.

My blood runs cold.

There’s a note attached.I unfasten it and turn it over.

You’re no longer married to him, and my heart is exploding with joy.

I gulp.

I look up to the clerk, but he has disappeared back into the courthouse.

I dart my gaze around, looking for the nearest trash can.

I walk toward it as I examine the teddy bear.It looks like the back has been ripped open and pinned back together.

That’s strange.

I unpin it.

And I drop my jaw.

35

HAWK

Daniela calls me again.

“Hey,” I say into the phone.“Are you a free woman?”

“Oh, my God, Hawk.”Her voice is breathless.

My heart starts pounding.“What’s the matter?Where are you?”

---