A.J. Kinsey knew he was never meant to love until he meets the one woman he'll break all the Cheaters Club rules for...even if it leaves him broken.
written by @MarriedtoArod
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"Who was that on the phone, Madeleine?" Ellis asks from the seat at his desk.
"Craig from my office." I stare out at Central Park, a few clusters of green leaves not yet yellow and orange from the change of seasons. The floor to ceiling windows afford me a panoramic picture of the park along with a breath-taking view of the city skyline. Shining upon us, the sun bathes the City with the promise of a perfect day.
I sigh. Far from perfect.
"What did he want?" Ellis doesn't look up from his paper work spread across the mahogany.
"I have to go in."
That gets his attention. Ellis's gray head lifts with a paper in hand, a frown on his lips. Even for his age, he's a handsome man, refined actually, but when I look at him I can only see him as a father figure.
"I thought we'd have lunch today."
"I know." I chew the inside of my cheek. Maybe I shouldn't go to Inner City Hearts today. I'm supposed to be off.
"What is it?"
I run my fingertip over the cool glass tracing the outline of the buildings in the distance. I don't want to tell him that A.J. called because I know what Ellis will say.
"Madeleine..." Unease colors Ellis's words. "For goodness sakes, has something happened? Is there an audit? The pipes break? I thought that—"
"No, no nothing like that."
"Then what's so important for you to go in of all days?"
"Mr. Kinsey wants to discuss a project with me, an outreach with Inner City Hearts." I don't want to see Ellis's face—maybe if I can't see his expression he'll carry on like I never mentioned A.J.'s name. I place my palm on the glass and watch it fog around my hand.
But no such luck, Ellis is by my side.
"You remember what I told you yesterday?"
I nod and wipe away the steamed part of the window with my fingertips. Of course I remember—that's what scares me the most.
"It's unconventional," I say and watch the treetops shake from the autumn winds.
Ellis turns me to face him and places his hands on my shoulders. "Nothing about our lives together is conventional."
"But it'll complicate things." Why can't he just say no—make the decision for me.
"The only complications are the ones happening in here." He taps my temple with his fingertip.
"What about lunch?"
Ellis shakes his head. "You are just as stubborn as your father was."
