Here And Now

18. A Girl's Girl

The next three days pass by in a blur. Weston continues to bombard my phone with his calls and messages. Yesterday he went as far as showing up at Mattie's house where me and the kids are staying.

Of course, Mattie kicked the hell out of his ass and told him to never show his face here ever again.

I should probably have mentioned that my bestie was a weightlifting champion in college.

I contacted a divorce lawyer and met up with him yesterday to draw up the divorce papers. He told me, since kids are involved, it would be the best for us to sit down with Weston's lawyer and discuss custody matters.

I text the shit eating husband the same.

Me: We have some matters to discuss, meet me at the La Trevino at 1.00

Of course his reply was instant.

Weston: Of course cupcake. I'll be there. I love you.

Weston: I love you, April. Please always remember that.

I park my car a few shops down from La Trevino at 1.23 p.m. Deliberately.

That asshole doesn't deserve a minute of my time.

And anyway, this food joint is a walking distance from his office. The only reason I chose this place is because I had a house showing near by and didn't want a hassle of meeting with the asshole anywhere else.

I casually walk down the street towards La Trevino's.

I have had it all planned out, everything that is going to follow up now.

What I did not expect was to bump into Elizabeth, Weston's boss, and Jackson a few shops before the luncheon.

"April."

Why is it that even though it's only been three days since I last talked to him and 1 month since knowing him, but he has already been occupying my mind.

Even now, as he stares at me, I find myself lost in the warm pool of his green eyes.

"Jackson." I whisper his name.

"Ugh-hmm." Someone clears their throat.

I snap out if the trance to glance at Elizabeth.

I remember her from when I met her at Weston's work Christmas Party. She was a really charming and confident woman. In her early forties, Weston had told me. I had been a bit frazzled by her when I met her back then. I don't know why I felt a little coldness from her.

Though she doesn't look the part now. She is a short, petite blond haired woman with warm hazel eyes. She's wearing a beige suit and diamond earrings.

"Hi, I suppose we have already met. You are Weston's wife, yes?" She extends her hand from where she's standing beside Jackson.

"Ex-wife." I correct her as I fully take both of them in. She has a bag of takeout in her hand while Jackson carries two files in his.

"Oh. I am sorry to hear that." She says politely though I see the question in her eyes.

Before I can say anything, Jackson cuts in.

"Don't be, he cheated on her." His tone dark and incredulous.

"Actually?" Her entire demeanor changes when she addresses Jackson. Warm and friendly.

"Yes, and with Claire no less." Jackson's face remains stony but his eyes keep tittering over the edge of absolute darkness.

"Claire Shmaoli? Rubin Shmaoli's wife?" Her voice is so high pitched it sounds funny.

"Jackson, I would appreciate it if you didn't go around advertising my business to the world." I say in as hard a tone as possible.

He finally looks at me. His eyes fill with regret, the dark clouds finally clearing from them.

"I am sorry April. It's just Elizabeth so I didn't really think much of it. I shouldn't have overstepped. I apologize." He looks at me sincerely.

"I am not." Elizabeth turns toward me. "You have here to meet with you ex-husband, I assume?"

I am still looking at Jackson when she speaks, so the glee in his eyes and the smile on his lips when she says 'ex-husband' doesn't go unnoticed by me.

"Yes."

"Well, why don't you tell him that a box of his belongings will be waiting for him at the lobby. His employenent agreement is terminated under the circumstances of him being involved with an active competitor."

That...is the last thing I expected for her to say.

She, however, looks satisfied. There's a radiant smile on her face that she is directing at...me?

"This may sound insane and though we don't know each other at all, I would still like to help you if you ever feel the need. Here." She hands me her card from her clutch and walks away.

And I am left staring at her back.

"What just happened?"

"Oh that's just Elizabeth." Jackson comes to stand in front of me.

"That's the explanation?"

He just lifts a shoulder in reply. I try not to stare at him now that we are alone. But he looks too good in his powder blue shirt and gray slacks.

His eyes crinkle in a smile when he notices me staring at him.

"I am happy to meet you again, April Jennings." His choice of words tell me the rest.

He is happy that he is now meeting me as my former, stronger self. As a woman who has divorced her pathetic husband. April Jennings.

A small smile tugs at my lips.

"I am happy to have met you again, Jackson Hastings."

"Would you make me an even happier man and meet me again?" He takes a step towards me. The humor gone from his eyes and replaced by smoldering heat.

"I-I-" ...can only stammer.

The heat extinguishes from his eyes but the determination stays.

"Too soon I guess. No problem, I am nothing if not a man determined." He lifts his hand and I watch as he extends it towards my face.

And tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

Both of us freeze. Time itself seems to be frozen as we stare at each other.

How can I feel so strongly about a man I have just met? Not to mention it's not even been a week since my marriage ended. And Jackson Hastings is already invoking feelings stronger than my husband ever did.

It has to be black magic. Or a love potion. Or...anything but these very real emotions swirling around in my chest.

I step backwards, out of his reach and watch as his gaze turns sad.

I turn around and leave him there. I can still feel his gaze on me even as I walk further and further down the street. I can still feel the heat of his touch in my hair even as I walk inside La Trevino's almost an hour late.

I am done for.

***

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