Page 4 of Until Now

“I already told you, I’m coming.”

“No need to get snippy. I’m just trying to keep track of everyone’s arrival.” I roll my eyes. “So, what day will you be arriving?”

“Wednesday.”

“Wonderful! You’ll arrive the day before Lee.”

The stylus in my hand clatters to the floor. I’m sorry, did she just say—

“The Madigans will be arriving Thursday afternoon, just like always. And, I don’t want you to make this difficult for them just because you broke up with Lee. They’re our friends and they’re able to put differences aside, I think you can do the same.”

“Have you forgottenwhyI broke up with him?”

Five hundred and twenty-six days. That’s how many days it has been since December 17th. The night the universe took all my plans and knocked them off kilter. Christmas time in New York is nothing short of magical. It had been two months since I had managed to get away from the Low Country, but there was no better time.

Lee lived in a high-rise across from Rockefeller Center, the one I had picked because of its location. The one I had picked because he was too “busy” to do it himself. The one I picked because he wanted me to be comfortable when I was in town. I walked through the door of the residential tower and wiped the snow from my boots, declining the doorman when he offered to take my bags. Stepping into the elevator, I greeted the older man already there. “Buonasera, G!”

“Good to see you, Nina. It’s been a while.”

“Been pretty busy, but I wanted to surprise Lee.” I scanned my elevator badge and pressed P4. ‘G’ was the first neighbor I met when Lee moved in. Lee couldn’t have cared less, but I enjoyed getting to know some of the neighbors.

When the doors opened to his floor, G gave my shoulder a brief squeeze. “Good luck with everything, young lady. I know you’ll do great things,” he said with a wink and the doors closed between us. And for some reason, it felt like a goodbye.

The doors reopened moments later to Penthouse 4. It was dark and quiet. I checked my watch, too early for Lee to be in bed. And, he wouldn’t be out on the town, he had a big work presentation the next day. I shouldered off my long black coat resting it on top of my bags and dusted off my chiffon ruffled shirt. My boots echoed against the oak floors walking further into the darkness. A light flickered from the kitchen. Candles?

Candles, indeed. From the doorway, I saw the evidence scattered across the granite countertops: a bottle of Dom Pérignon, two champagne flutes, and take out boxes surrounded by candles and rose petals.

A laugh echoed from upstairs. It wasn’t his, but I recognized it.

Up the stairs to the master bedroom, whispers filled the air. Just as I threw open the door, another laugh from the bed.

I cleared my throat. Lee popped up from under the covers, his blue eyes looked like they might explode. The gears already turning as he tried to find an excuse. There wasn’t one. I wasn’t completely shocked. I had suspected it for a while, but he had reassured me nothing was going on — we had been talking about rings just the week before.

Lee chased after me, but I ignored him and slammed my hand on the button closing the elevator doors between us.

“Oh, Davina, you need to let it go. It was years ago! It’s time to move on,” Mother cuts through the memory. I can practically hear her eyes rolling on the other end of the phone. She has always loved Lee; correction, she has always loved the money Lee’s family would bring to the table. When I broke up with him, she was devastated because it meant less chance for the Madigans to join Villa Inc. “You know, I could set you up with that neighbor boy, he has always seemed nice and very interested in you.”

“No.”

“Well, it could get rather awkward if you show up alone, don’t you think?”

“Last time I checked, their last name isn’t Villa. So, forgive me if I don’t give a fuck how it makes them feel.”

“The least you can do is let the neighbor boy come around to ease the awkwardness. We don’t want our guests feeling unwelcome.”

“Stop trying to pawn me off because you invited my ex-boyfriend to our summer house.” There’s a heartbeat forming inside my skull. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. I wonder how much it would cost to book a last-minute trip to Greece instead.

“They’re like family.”

“Good thing I’m not dating him anymore, otherwise that would be incest.”

“Oh for the love of— Enough. Don’t be so dramatic, Davina.”

“I need to get back to work.”

“Wait! Before you go, I’m going to let Lee and Teagan have your room since you’ll be alone. You’ll be fine in one of the smaller rooms.”

“You’re joking,” I scoff. Why would I be okay with them taking my room? It’s my room. It has been my room since we bought the house. “You know what, I was gonna wait until I got there, make it a surprise. But…I’m bringing someone.”

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