Page 68 of Strictly Business
I roll my eyes and toss my phone on the table. What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve successfully started the company. I’ve done everything he wanted. What else does he want? There’s a lot I want to say back to him, but best to leave it. I consider calling her. Hell, I consider calling Josh. I need to apologize to both of them, but part of me thinks it might be best to give them both some time.
What the hell was that? I rub my eyes, scanning the room; the alarm clock reads 2:47 A.M. Was that a knock? After a minute, I settle back into bed. Then, I hear it again. A knock on the door — who in the hell let someone up here at three in the morning? I’ve got to talk to Paul about letting people up here.
I swing the door open, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my mind, but every ounce of annoyance dissipates. Michaela stands with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Dressed in her pajamas, hair is pulled up into a messy ponytail on top of her head, face makeup-free, and black-rimmed glasses sit on the edge of her nose. She won’t look at me, eyes glued to the floor. Lifting her chin, my heart breaks at her eyes brimming with tears. I don’t hesitate to pull her in my arms. Guilt gnaws at my insides. I’m part of the reason we’re in this mess.
“I’m sorry for just showing up,” she whispers. “I didn’t want to be alone.”
“Don’t apologize. I told you, you’re welcome anytime. You could’ve let yourself in, y’know.” I kiss the top of her head and a small amount of relief floods my senses inhaling the familiar scent of her coconut shampoo.
“Finn, we need to talk.”
“Michaela, it’s three in the morning… Let’s get some sleep and—”
“No, I need to get this off my chest. I just need you to listen. Okay?”
“Okay,” I sigh and press a kiss on her forehead. “Let me make some coffee.”
Michaela sits on the couch staring out over the city lights waiting for the coffee to brew. Her mind somewhere else barely registers the mug I extend to her and jumps slightly when I touch her shoulder. She takes it with a mumbled apology. I leave a little space between us when I finally sit down. I can’t remember the last time I was this anxious to get a conversation over with.
“Finn, I know what happened was my fault. I should’ve been honest and told everyone about the divorce from the start. It was irresponsible and childish to keep that from them. I know that. I knew that, but I thought I could fix it. Make it all go away. Then, they’d never have to know about it.” Michaela stares down into the dark liquid keeping a death grip on the mug handle. “I thought it was just a phase. Something we’d get past and everything would be fine again. But, I think, all along, I knew it wasn’t.” She sighs gnawing on the inside of her cheek. “And then you came along and messed everything up some more."
I try to hide the small smile that tugs on my lips.
“What happened this morning was exactly what I was afraid of. I knew Josh would be upset, He cares about us both, and I knew he’d need time to adjust. I didn’t think it would happen like this. Selfishly, I wanted more time. More time to tell them about David, more time to get my life back together, more time to figure out what this is… You didn’t deserve what happened. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry that it happened.”
“This isn’t your fault, Michaela. You’re right. You should’ve been honest, but this isn’t all on you. I’m at fault, too. What happened this morning was going to happen regardless of when Josh found out. You think your brother was going to be okay with there being an us?”
“Is there still an us? Because—”
“If the past two weeks have done anything, they’ve only solidified that I want this.” Taking her mug, I place it on the coffee table and take her hands in mine. “I haven’t felt this comfortable around someone in a long time; ever, maybe. You scare the shit out of me, more than your brother ever could.”
A smile tugs at her lips. “We’re a mess.”
“We’re going to get through this, I promise.” I pull her mouth to mine in a soft, chaste kiss. “Might not be the easiest, but we’ll figure it out.”
“What did Nina say when she saw your face?” Her fingers lightly trace the bruise on my jaw.
“It’s Nina, she doesn’t ask too many questions.”
“She probably already knew,” Michaela laughs. “I swear, that woman knows things before they happen.”
“That’s her job.” I kiss her forehead and settle back into the couch. She doesn’t waste any time when I open my arms for her to join me. “She did mention I need to make sure I cover up my face for our meeting tomorrow, though.”
“Need some concealer,” she yawns.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure I have some lying around here somewhere.”
She smacks my stomach playfully. “You can use mine,” another yawn, “my makeup is still here.”
“I was wondering what that shit all over my counter was.”
“It’s the real reason I came back.” Michaela beams a tired smile at me, and I roll my eyes.
“Get some sleep, Shortcake.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
FINN