THE EX WIFE'S RECKONING

m of the machinery, her thoughts a chaotic mess of regret, confused desire, an

uch, her skin still burned where his fingers had lingered. Worse, her heart still wanted

rises. Naomi forced herself to step forward, past the knowing glances

ss doors into the crisp morni

cting a message from Et

, it wa

today? I missed

alls, ignored the promises she had made to herself. Damian was supposed

hovered over

e. I'll se

the message when a

topped by your place ea

always five steps ahead, and whenever he said we needed to talk, it was

ed at the back of her ne

b, knowing full well that brunch wi

he had already taken so much time than she realized, until the driver stuck his head

t caught up in appreciating this pl

er purse, reached out for a couple of dollars, and h

tricts. Damian had already secured a table by the window, sipping

a smile that she hoped masked her turmoil, after

e suit was perfectly tailored, his blond hair styled to perfection, and every detail of

stomach

offee, feigning nonch

lter, but his eyes sharp

p. "Where else?" She replied

cing the rim of his glass. "I went by

d through

meticulous he was. H

ual shrug. "I cras

g his fingers against

ween them, thick with

ps curving into a knowing smirk.

s, but she kept her face neutral. "Yo

know your habits. And I know that after a fight, you go r

eath h

ly gentle. "You promised me, Naomi. You said you

ut his grip tightened jus

but laced with steel. "I've worked too hard to keep you away from

unease. "Worked too hard? W

was no warmth in it. Only

soon enoug

ped into a carefully laid trap which Damian knew

k to Ethan. They

oat, she pulled out her p

e second ring. "Na

t through her, and she hated how much

he said. Trying to l

nd knowing: "I thought we were d

kily. "It's Damia

nish, a new call came t

omach

she said, switch

ng chuckle fi

d sharp as a knife. "You really shouldn't be call

through h

ead slowly, scan

she

s the street. A familiar silho

as watch

iked thi