Page 72 of Salvage Him
Fourteen
Brooklyn
Istayedin New York for a month. It wasn't necessary, but I didn't trust myself to go back to Dallas and not want to see Harrison. I thought about him all the time. I dreamed about him. I couldn't go back to him until I could show him I was his and hewasmine.
The first week, he called and texted me a couple of timesaday.
I didn’trespond.
The second week, communicationstopped.
I wanted him to reach out, stay connected, but I understood why he didn't. I hated that he thought he did something wrong. The time we shared, inside and outside of the club, confirmed in my mind and my heart. I wanted more in life and in my relationship than my husbandcouldgive.
I didn't tell Abbie I was in town until after Paul had left. I met her at a restaurant in Soho. We sat outside and watched the people on the street for a long time before Itoldher.
"I havesomenews."
"Well, Ms. Brooklyn. What is your news?" sheasked.
"Paul and I are officially separated and getting a divorce." My voice sounded weird. I announced it like I had won a free trip to Bermuda orsomething.
Abbie froze but thankfully blinked a fewtimes.
Isighed.
If she hadn't, I would have thought she had gonecatatonic.
I let it sink in, and continued to enjoy mypasta.
"When?How?"
"That's why I'm in New York. He was coming into town between overseas trips. I asked, and he said okay. We signed the separation papersyesterday."
"What are you going to do?" She reached out formyhand.
Itookhers.
Tears filled her eyes. She needed comforting. "What about your job, the money, that beautifulhouse?"
"Nothing's happening right now." I squeezed her hand and released it. "He's still taking care of me financially, and I'm finishing thehouse."
"When are you moving back?" sheasked.
I sat my fork down and looked down the street. "I'm not movingback,Abbs."
Her shoulders slumped, and she put her head down. She shook from cryingforreal.
Maybe this wasn't the right time totellher.
I hugged hertome.
"Why?" she asked between cryinghiccups.
"Abbie, lookatme."
She wiped her face and stared intomyeyes.
"How do I look?" Iasked.
