by Cate Beauman
“Soph?”
She paused, her heart breaking impossibly more, and kept going, reminding herself that she needed to leave.
“Hey.” He followed her down the hall. “Hey.” He snagged her arm as they entered the bathroom.
“Please don’t.” She pulled free, staring straight ahead as she stood in front of the pretty cabinetry, opening her drawers, taking out her cosmetics.
“Didn’t you see me at Smitty’s? I called your name then I called your phone, but you didn’t answer.”
She closed her eyes. “I know.”
“You got us Malcom’s.”
“Yes.”
“Soph, why won’t you look at me?” He captured her chin between his fingers, turning her head, giving her no choice but to meet his eyes. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m not.”
He raised his brow.
“I’m fine.” Her lips wobbled and she swallowed, dying to clear the choking lump of emotion.
“Let’s go to the mountain.” He slid his thumb along her cheek, killing her slowly with every gentle slide along her skin. “We can have a picnic and you can tell me what’s wrong.”
She shook her head, dislodging herself from his hold, and turned away, setting her items in a bag. “I can’t.”
“Why? What are you doing?”
She took a deep breath, knowing that this was truly the end. “I’m leaving.”
He frowned in the reflection of the mirror. “You’re leaving? For what, business? I didn’t realize you were going to have to travel—”
“For good,” she interrupted. “I’m leaving for good.”
“What?” He spun her around. “I don’t—”
“I can’t do this, Stone.” Her voice broke. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“Soph.” He slid his palms down her arms, taking her hands. “What are you talking about?”
“Our marriage. It’s not working. This entire thing isn’t working.”
“Yes it is.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.
“No.”
“You can’t leave. Where will you go?”
“The apartment over my shop.” She sniffled, attempting to collect herself. “I haven’t rented it out yet. I haven’t had a chance to do anything to it, actually. I’m going to file for an annulment or divorce or whatever it is that I need to do.”
“No.” He shook his head, pulling her closer, his eyes desperate as they held hers. “No, Soph. What about the money?”
“I don’t want it.”
“Of course you do. Yes, you do.”
She shook her head again. “No.”
“But—”
“I’m tired.” She sucked in a deep breath as more tears fell. “I’m so tired of the fighting. I’m so tired of arguing about something that will never change.” She looked down, unable to stare into his confused gaze.
“Eric?”
She nodded. “He’s never going away. He’ll never leave me alone because he wants me to pay. Fighting him is a useless battle.”
“So I’ll stop. I’ll let it go.”
She shook her head, so tempted to say okay, but she remembered the way he smiled at Amber. “I’ve known.” She met his eyes again as she gave him the truth. “I’d hoped it could be different, but I knew all along because I know him. I’ve been terribly unfair. I can’t ask you to put your life on hold any longer. It was wrong to walk into this marriage in the first place.”
“Soph.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Please let me help you.”
“You have.” She touched his cheeks. “You’re such a good man. You’ve been so good to me.”
“Soph.” He captured her mouth in a desperate kiss. “Soph,” he whispered, moving in again.
Helplessly, she followed, sliding her tongue against his, clinging as he cupped the back of her neck.
“No.” She pulled away, already knowing how this would end if she didn’t stop them. They would go to bed and solve nothing. He didn’t ask her to stay for love; he asked her to stay out of a sense of obligation. “I’m doing us both a favor. I’m doing what I should have from the start.”
“Sophie, please—”
“This is the way I want it. This is what I want,” she repeated, even though it wasn’t, but this was what was right. “Goodbye, Stone.” She kissed his cheek and hurried to the bedroom, grabbing her bags. “Come on, Murph. We have to go.”
She walked out again, not daring to look back as she left behind everything she’d ever wanted.
~~~~
Stone sat in his window seat at thirty thousand feet, clenching his jaw, staring at the envelope the sheriff handed him just as he was about to get in his car and head to the airport. He flicked the pointed edge of the sealed packet with his thumb, replaying last night’s conversation with Sophie, trying to figure out what in the hell went wrong. She’d bought them dinner—Malcom’s—then she’d ripped his heart out and walked away. There’d been no warning. She was just leaving, and they were over.
He scrubbed a hand over the scruff on his face, picking up the envelope, and set it back down. Not even twenty-four hours and she had him served. She didn’t even give him a chance to try to fix things. He’d been counting on a couple of weeks—or at least one—to let her cool off, then he’d planned to convince her to change her mind, but clearly she was in a hurry to be finished with him.
Why? Why was she doing this? He’d stopped himself more than a dozen times from driving over to her new place to demand answers and tell her he loved her. He’d never loved anyone the way he did Sophie. They had their problems but nothing they couldn’t overcome. They had something. From the moment they met there had been a connection. And last night when she kissed him back, she’d been as desperate to hang on as he was.
Swallowing, he ripped open the envelope and pulled out the papers, scanning the legal jargon, noting that Sophie was waiving her rights to fifty percent of his assets.
Do you want my house, Soph?
It isn’t mine.
But it was. That house was as much hers as his. Together they’d made it a home, and now she was gone. He shook his head, flipping to the next page, unable to take his eyes off of her looping signature petitioning the court for a simple dissolution of marriage. Sophie McCabe, his wife. But she didn’t want to be anymore.
This is the way I want it. This is what I want.
But he didn’t. He’d started out wanting to help; now he needed to build a life with her.
I can’t do this anymore. Our marriage. It’s not working. This entire thing isn’t working.
He pulled a pen from his laptop case, pressing the tip to the paper, ready to give Sophie what she clearly needed. But then he closed his eyes and saw her pretty violet eyes staring into his in the steamy shower.
Nothing else matters when we’re together like this.
So why did it now? What changed so quickly? How could she just throw it all away? “Damn it.” He set the pen down and shoved the papers away, closing his eyes again, resting his forehead in his hands, drowning in angry despair. How the hell was he supposed to do this? How the hell was he supposed to let her go?
Chapter Twenty-eight
Sophie stood among the chaos in her small shop, wearing the fitted, strapless black mini-dress Lily had personally made her, smiling for her guests, though all she wanted was to go upstairs and hide. The evening was going off without a hitch. The fashion show had been amazing. Jackie had done her makeup and Marco her hair. He’d done some sleek pullback that left her neck and shoulders bare, showcasing the jewelry she’d created for her walk down the catwalk, hand-in-hand with Abby, while dozens of camera bulbs flashed.
The caterers were doing an excellent job; she’d sold out of her inventory in presales and had thousands of dollars’ of orders waiting for her and Carolyn to create, yet she wanted to cry. She glanced at the door as she had throughout the night, hoping Stone might walk in.
“You’re kicking butt,” Abby said, st
rolling over, wrapping her arm around Sophie.
She turned up the wattage on her smile. “It’s amazing. I’m thrilled.”
Abby raised her brow. “I’m pretty sure that’s the fiftieth ‘I’m thrilled,’ ‘it’s great,’ and ‘I couldn’t be happier,’ I’ve heard tonight.”
Her smile vanished. “Don’t. Not now,” she warned, praying Abby wouldn’t push too hard, or she would lose it right here in front of the crowd.
“Then after we’re finished. Oh, crap.”
“What?” She looked around.
“Toni Terrell’s heading our way.”
Sophie tracked the blond with the dark tan walking toward them, growing uncomfortable as Abby tightened her grip around her waist. The nasty little weasel had almost cost Abby her life earlier this year.
“Mrs. McCabe—” Toni moved closer.
“Lily’s handling the questions tonight,” Abby interrupted.
“I’ve already spoken with Lily.” Toni tossed her hair over her shoulder. “My photographer just needs a picture.”
Lily stepped up next to them. “How’s everything going? Toni, I’ve already answered your questions.”
“I need a picture.”
“Well, let’s give The Times what they want.” Lily slipped her arm around Sophie’s waist.
Sophie draped her arm around Abby and Lily’s shoulders, smiling as Toni’s photographer snapped the camera four times, looked at his screen, and nodded.
“See you later,” Toni said with a smirk.
“I hate her beady little eyes. I always get the feeling she’s up to something.” Abby took Sophie’s hand. “Now come upstairs and talk to me.”
“I can’t—”
“Five minutes isn’t going to kill anyone. Lily will hold down the fort.”
“I can certainly do that,” the silver-haired powerhouse said with a regal nod.
“See? Now come on.” Abby pulled her toward the back office and up the stairs, where Murphy greeted them with the frantic wag of his tail.
“Hi, sweet boy.” Sophie crouched down, petting him as Abby closed the door.
“Excuse us, Murph.” Abby took Sophie’s hand again. “Your mom and I have an appointment on the couch.” Abby sat down, patting the next cushion over.
Sighing, Sophie sat, readying herself for another barrage of questions.
“So,” Abby crossed her legs in her daring red dress, “how ya holding up?”
“Fine.” She nodded as her bottom lip wobbled. “I’m really just fine.” A tear fell and she turned away, muffling a sob.
“Aw, Sophie.” Abby pulled her into a hug.
She closed her eyes and held on, sucking in several shaky breaths. “I’m sorry.” She sniffled.
“Don’t be.”
She pulled a tissue from the box she kept close to her makeshift bed. Crying well into the night seemed to be part of her new routine. “I’m just a little emotional these days.” She’d been a mess for over a week. “My chest is so heavy. I think my heart actually hurts. It’s awful.”
Abby stared at her with sympathy in her blue eyes. “Have you talked to him?”
She shook her head, blowing her nose. “I thought—I was hoping he might come tonight. I don’t know why he would. I mean, we’re not together.” But she’d still hoped.
“He’s out of town. Jerrod said he’s been volunteering for all kinds of duties. He’s hurting too, Sophie.”
Standing, turning away from her friend, she shook her head again, having a hard time believing Stone could be anything but relieved. The charade was over; he could get back to his life. “Ending our marriage was for the best. We were arguing all the time. I couldn’t give him what he wanted. He wouldn’t let the stuff with Eric go.”
“He’s right about that.”
She whirled, surprised by the lack of support. “No he’s not. I don’t want to deal with Eric anymore.”
“Eric won’t go away until you do something about him. You can run and hide, but you won’t be able to move on with your life until you tell him to go to hell. Trust me on that one.”
She crossed her arms at her chest, holding herself tightly. “I’m afraid.”
“I understand that too.”
“I’ll have to think on it.” But she didn’t want to.
“Call Stone, Sophie, or better yet, go see him. He should be back tomorrow afternoon. He took Jerrod’s San Francisco duty yesterday.”
“I can’t.” Her eyes watered again.
“Why?”
“Because I love him.” She sat back on the couch as tears fell.
“Which is exactly why you need to go see him.”
She stared down at the hardwood floor. “He doesn’t love me.” Saying so hurt.
“How can you say that?”
She met Abby’s gaze. “Stone sees me as a friend—someone he feels responsible for. I don’t want to be his obligation.”
She frowned. “I thought you said you guys have amazing sex.”
She nodded. “We do—did,” she corrected. “When we were together we had this…connection. I’ve never felt so close to anyone. It’s so intense, yet comforting. The way he touched me and looked into my eyes…” She would never have that again.
“That’s not friend sex, Sophie. That’s love sex.”
“But Stone and Amber…” She swallowed. “I think he’s interested in her. I’m not going to use five million dollars and Eric as an excuse to stand in the way of what he wants. I don’t have the right to.”
“Amber?” Abby shook her head. “Who’s Amber?”
“You know, Ethan’s secretary.”
Abby closed her eyes, sighing. “Sophie, I love you, but you’re an idiot.”
She blinked her surprise, trying not to be insulted. “Thanks.”
“Sophie.” Abby took her hand. “Stone loves you.”
He’d never told her so. She stood again, too restless to be still. “I don’t know.” She couldn’t let herself believe what Abby said. Abby hadn’t seen the way Stone and Amber looked at each other at Smitty’s. “I’m not so sure.” She huffed out a breath, pressing her hands to her face. “Everything’s a mess. My life is such a mess.”
“So take a little time to figure everything out.”
“That’s the plan.” She glanced out the window, sighing as she spotted David across the way in the alley with his camera. She started to turn away but stopped. He’s never going to leave you alone until you stand up to him. Stone’s deep voice echoed in her head. She stared down at the wedding ring she hadn’t been able to take off, swallowing her fear, afraid but ready to take the first step.
“I’m going to head downstairs.”
“I’ll be right there. I need—I need to make a call.”
“Okay.” Abby hugged her. “Everything’s going to work out.” She kissed her cheek. “Promise.”
Nothing would work out if she didn’t try. “Thank you.” Picking up her phone, she pressed her lips together, waiting for Abby to shut the door, then selected Jeremiah’s number with shaking fingers.
“Jeremiah Trombley.”
“Jeremiah, this is Sophie McCabe.”
“Hi, Sophie. How are things going?”
“They’re all right.”
“Good. I hope Kevin was able to help you get things settled out there in California.”
“Yes. Thank you again.” She’d called Jeremiah last week, immediately after she left Stone’s house. He’d given her a local attorney’s number, and he’d helped her expedite her request for a dissolution of marriage. “Kevin’s been very kind.”
“Good.”
“Um—” She cleared her throat, more than half sick. “I would—I would like to take action against Eric for violating the terms of the agreement he signed.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, glancing out the window. “His private investigator is still following me. I’m not sure what I need to do.”
“Is the PI there now?”
She followed David with he
r eyes as he moved toward his vehicle. “He’s getting in his car.”
“The white Toyota?”
“Yes.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at my shop on Rodeo Drive.”
“Okay. I’ll get the ball rolling on this end. It’ll take a little time, but we’re going to get this taken care of.”
“Thank you.” She hung up, letting out a shuddering breath, terrified of the consequences of provoking Eric. She twisted her ring around her finger, knowing it would only be a matter of time before he retaliated.
~~~~
Stone typed down his final thoughts on the assessment report he was working on for Monday morning’s meeting and glanced at his watch—twenty minutes until he needed to head to the airport. Stretching, he leaned back in the uncomfortable hotel chair, rubbing at his tired eyes, trying to figure out what in the hell he was going to do with himself when he landed in LA later this afternoon. He’d found a way to be gone since last Wednesday—Atlanta for Jackson, Toronto for five days for Tucker, and now San Francisco for Jerrod, but after he hopped this flight he wouldn’t have to be on the road again for awhile.
He had yet to be home since Sophie walked out; he didn’t want to be there without her, but today he would have to head to the cliffs on his own. This would be the first time since they’d met that she wouldn’t be there waiting for him to walk through the door with a pretty smile on her face and a cute puppy wagging his tail at her feet. Steaming out a breath, he stood and took off his basketball shorts, replacing them with kaki slacks. At some point he was going to have to finish the kitchen—her kitchen—and lay down the flooring in their bedroom, then maybe he would take care of the last couple of rooms and put the damn place on the market.
Somewhere over the past few weeks he’d imagined the second bedroom as an eventual nursery and had given thought to adding on an office for Sophie for the days she wanted to work from the house, but now there wasn’t much point in any of it. She had her apartment in the city, and they wouldn’t be making any babies.
