Page 18 of Wild
“Liz.”
I looked up as I was leaving the courthouse, papers in my bag. “John. What’re you doing here?”
“I was sitting in the coffee shop across the street and saw you go inside, so I waited until you were done.” He stepped onto the sidewalk, blocking my way. “Why don’t you come over and join me? Coffee is on me.”
I looked around him to see if his new girlfriend was with him. The coffee really would be on him if I walked in and found her sitting there. “I don’t think so.”
“Hey, I screwed up. I know that now. I’m here to say I’m sorry and see if we can work things out.”
“She left you already.” I walked away, and John followed. “Good for her.”
“Come on, Liz, just have one cup with me. I know we can work this out.” He grabbed my arm, and I stopped. I wanted very badly to show him my teeth.
One deep breath and I regained control of my thoughts, saving my mouth from the sewage of words that were about to escape. “You know what. You’re right. Let’s have a drink.”
“I knew you’d come around.” He tried to hold my hand, but I quickly pulled it away.
“One step at a time.”
We entered the coffee shop, and I joined John at his table. He ordered for me. And I wanted to punch him in the face.
“How’s the RV?”
Of course. His precious RV. “A couple of friends fixed the flat.”
“From your office?”
I shook my head. “Some guys I met the night you left me.”
“In the woods?” He shifted nervously in his seat, spilling his coffee in the process.
“Just appeared out of nowhere,” I said happily. The waitress brought my coffee, and I sipped from the cup, watching John over the edge. I had him back on his heels. Karma was a bitch best served graciously. “Actually, they fixed it the next day.”
“But you stayed in the camper overnight?”
I shook my head again. “Nope. They invited me to their cabin, and I went. They were afraid for my safety.”
“Wait a second. How’d you escape the four wolves?” He sat back, confused, and I was enjoying the hell out of his confusion. I glanced at my watch. And, in a few hours, I would be enjoying the hell out of Sam and Alexander’s confusion.
“I talked my way out.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“What do you really want, John? You can have the fucking RV. You can have the house.”
“How about if I come over tonight? We can watch a movie and have wine. Like old times.” The worry in his eyes made his face droop.
“I love that idea. You still have your keys?”
“Of course. Seven, okay?”John smiled, feeling as if he were back on his game.
“That’s perfect. I think I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I’ll stop on the way over and get your favorite white.”
“Red.” I took another sip of coffee and stood. “I’m glad you waited for me. See you tonight.”
I left the coffee shop, satisfied I’d never see John again. He wasn't included in current or future plans. What he would find this evening was an empty house, although a small part of me wanted to be a fly on the wall and see his reaction.
