Page 59 of For the Lover in You
"Um, Mila, did you hear me?" he asked.
"Yes, Mr. Houston. Loud and clear."
I could feel him staring at me, but I didn't break. I kept my focus on the computer screen in front of me.
"Trey," Ari called. "Ready?"
"Um, yeah, let's go. I'll be back, y'all."
"Hmm...have fun, Mr. Houston," Susanna said.
I didn't unseal my lips. Tremaine had really outdone himself by having Ari pop up here and then going to lunch with her. His actions were loud and clear.
It was closing time, and Tremaine still wasn't back yet. I had already called my Uber and was preparing to head home. If Tremaine weren't my boss, I would block his number. Susanna had already left for the day, and I was left to lock up the office. By the time I had locked everything in the office and headed out front, the sun was setting. As soon as I stepped out of the door, I ran directly into a hard body, damn near dropping all my items.
"So, this is where you work?"
I recognized Kyle's voice anywhere. What I didn't understand was why he was at my job. I thought I made it clear that if it didn't involve our lawyers, he should not be communicating with me personally, let alone this closely.
"Kyle, why the fuck are you here?"
"Damn, when did you become so feisty? I just wanted to see you."
I let out an exhausted breath. "It's been a long day. You see me, now, so can you leave? We shouldn't even be talking."
"I miss you, Mila. For real."
"Bye, Kyle."
I went to walk past him, but he stepped in the way.
"Mila, I'm for real. I fucked up. I just want my family back."
My face heated, and I became hot. Kyle had his family, but he threw it all away by stepping out on me and having a babywith another woman. He didn't care about his family then, and he damn sure doesn't care now.
"You must be high right now to think that because you're saying some shit like that matters to me. You ruined your family. I was willing to fight and make shit right. I even recommended counseling, but you embarrassed me. You made me out to be some goddamn fool. I dealt with a lot of bullshit from you. I limited myself and stayed in a bubble just to accommodate you, when you didn't appreciate that."
I felt myself tearing up, and the anger in my heart spewed out. I had never spoken to Kyle this way while we were married, because I always believed a woman should never talk to her man in that way, but that belief had gone out the window.
"I hate what you did to our family, but I'm thankful that you did. I'm finding myself after I lost it in you many years ago. I'm back to being Mila now, and there ain't no damn space here for you."
"Mila."
"Stop saying my goddamn name. When I wanted this, you didn't have the time or energy for me, so guess what? Mila doesn't have the time or energy for you. Get back in your car and go to your baby mama."
"You don't mean that," he said.
"She does."
I looked past Kyle and saw Tremaine standing there. Kyle had turned around and faced him as well. Tremaine looked angry as his eyes bounced between Kyle and me.
"Mila, are you good?" he asked.
I wanted to roll my eyes. Not only had Kyle annoyed me, but now, here was Tremaine popping up after being gone all lunch with Ari, doing God knows what.
"I'm good. My Uber is here, and I don't have time for this. Goodbye, Kyle."
He went to reach for me, but I backed away in time. Tremaine quickly moved, stepping in between us.
