“I agree,” the mediator says. “And I’m Switzerland.”
I nod and look at the figure again. “I won’t agree to his legal fees. He’s the one who decided to take it this far.”
“Agreed,” Pam says and writes on the paper. “No legal fees. What about the money?”
“Let’s go back with this.” I write a smaller figure down. “And tell him I’ll pay it in one lump sum rather than monthly payments. I want him gone. If he agrees, I’ll write a check today.”
He nods, picks up the paper, and leaves. Pam and I stare at each other for a long moment.
“How do you do this, day in and day out? Isn’t it sad?”
“It can be,” she says with a nod. “It can also be satisfying. There are people that leave situations far worse than yours.”
“I suppose so,” I reply. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
It’s not long before the mediator returns with a smile. “They agree. Pam, you can draw up the papers, and he’ll sign them.”
“He also needs to sign something that says he can’t ever come back at me, wanting more money.”
“Of course,” Pam says with a nod. “You write that check, and I’ll draw up the paperwork. We’ll file these with the court this afternoon, and you’ll officially be divorced in fourteen days.”
I reach for my checkbook and feel physically ill as I write out the check, then slide it to the middle of the table. It’s an obscene amount of money, but if it’s the cost of getting Vinnie out of my life for good, it’s worth every penny.
In less than an hour, the papers are all signed, Vinnie has my check, and we’re done.
“Thank you,” I say to Pam and give her a hug. “Seriously, thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” She pulls back. “Next time, get a prenup.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I say with a laugh. “No way, no how.”
“Never say never,” she says with a wink. I follow her out of the room and turn to leave her offices, and there he is ahead of me, facing me. Vinnie.
His eyebrows climb, and then his face transforms into a smirk.
And I feel nothing at all. I just turn and leave, without a word. It’s time to get on with my life.
“When will you be home?” Archer asks a week later. I’m walking around my now-empty apartment, waiting for the landlord to show up for a walk-through so I can hand in my keys.
“In a few days,” I reply. My voice echoes in the empty space. “The truck should be in Seattle tomorrow with my things.”
“I’ve already talked to the truck driver, and I’ll meet him at the house. I have all of that covered. Are you okay to drive up by yourself?”
“I’m not. Anastasia is flying down tomorrow morning. I have one last meeting in the afternoon, and then we’re hitting the road.”
“She didn’t say anything,” he says. “How did everything go?”
“Well, he got a lot of money, but not as much as he wanted, which I’m going to call a win. I didn’t pay his legal fees.”
“Damn right, you didn’t. You should have let me beat him up when I wanted to.”
I laugh. “Trust me, it’s not that I didn’t want to. But it’s over. The divorce will be final in a few days, I’ll be in Seattle, and I don’t ever have to deal with him again.”
“How are things with Wyatt?”
“Non-existent,” I reply softly and walk a circle in my old kitchen. “I haven’t spoken to him in two weeks. And, frankly, I think I’m going to just move on, Archer. I tried, and he didn’t want to listen. I won’t beg.”
“No. You’re not one who begs, Lia. No one is worth that.”
“Nope.”
“How did your meetings go? Are they okay with you commuting from Seattle?”
“So far, it isn’t an issue. I had a photo shoot yesterday.” I stroll down the hallway to my bedroom and walk slowly to the window. I can see a lot of the city from here. “I liked this condo. I felt so proud and independent when I rented it after I left Vinnie.”
“It was a great transition home,” he says, and it’s like a lightbulb turns on.
“That’s a good way to describe it,” I reply. “You’re really smart sometimes. Is that why they let you own the company?”
He chuckles. “You’re starting to get some of your sass back.”
Sass.
That’s what Wyatt says before . . . no. Turn it off.
My doorbell rings.
“The landlord is here. I’d better go. If there are any issues tomorrow, just let me know.”
“There won’t be,” he says. “Keep me posted on your drive, and be safe. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I blink away tears as I hurry to the door and open it wide. Maria, the little landlord that I’ve worked with for more than two years, smiles at me. “Hello, Lia.”
“Hello, Maria.” She walks in and glances about.
“I’m so sad that you’re leaving,” she says. She has a clipboard tucked in her arm and smiles up at me. She’s a petite, kind woman. “We don’t always get tenants as good as you.”
“Well, I loved living here,” I assure her. “Where would you like to start?”
We spend the next thirty minutes walking through the unit. I get docked for three nail holes that I don’t have time to fill and paint, but otherwise, the condo is as I found it.
I hand her the keys and walk out to my car, happy to finally have it back. Not that I wasn’t grateful for Jules’ car, but there’s something to be said for being surrounded by your own things.
I drive to the hotel, give the car to the valet, and plan to soak in the bathtub for a while then order room service before crashing for the night.
My room is a suite on one of the highest floors with an ocean view. I figured since I was wrapping up my divorce and I’d be here for a while getting my stuff packed and attending meetings, I’d splurge a little.
Once I’m out of the bath, I pull on some black yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt that hangs over one shoulder. I’m just about to call room service when the room phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Miss Montgomery, this is Ron at the front desk. We have a visitor for you.”
Could it be?
“Who is it, please?”
“Anastasia Montgomery.”
Silly.
I grin, excited to see her. “Send her up.”
Of course, it’s not Wyatt. He doesn’t want me. And the sooner I come to accept that, the better.
Anastasia knocks on the door, and I rush to open it, then throw my arms around her and pull her into the room.
“You’re here!”
“Regretting it already,” she says, her voice strained. “Can’t breathe.”
“I’m so happy to see you.” I kiss her cheek before she jerks out of my grasp.
“Ugh.” She wipes my kiss off of her cheek but smiles at me. “Surprise.”
“I thought you were coming tomorrow.” I clap my hands excitedly and dance a little jig.
“And I thought you could probably use the company.” She pulls her handbag off her shoulder and wiggles out of her sweatshirt. “It’s hot in L.A.”