Page 52 of The D Appointment

I wanted to reach out to him, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to explain how I felt.

He shook his head, as if he sensed my urge to touch him. “The good news is, you don’t have to tell me we’re done. I’m telling you instead.”

I drew in a sharp breath, and Dominick bent down and picked up his shirt.

When he reached the door, he said, “Do me a favor and lose my number.”

That was the last thing he said before he yanked on his shirt and walked out the door.

The slam reverberated through my apartment as I tried not to cry.

But I would not let myself. I was a strong, independent woman, and I wouldn’t let myself cry over a man. I hadn’t cried when my ex and I broke up, and I wouldn’t do it now.

I straightened my spine. I needed a shower and a clean outfit. Washing his scent off of me would help.

I bent over to pick up my clothes from the floor, and a wetness trickled out of me. I rushed over to the light switch, flicked it on, and put my hand between my legs.

My fear was confirmed when I saw Dominick’s cum on my fingertips.

He had always used a condom. Always.

Except for tonight.

What a way to say our final good-bye.

It was almost as if he had left with one finalfuck youto me. I was on birth control, but I didn’t know how many people he was sleeping with. And how many people they were sleeping with.

With a sigh, I slowly made my way to my bathroom and turned on the shower, knowing it wasn’t going to help much.

Dominick had taken my heart and left his seed inside of me.

25

Vivian

TWO MONTHS LATER

“We find the defendant…”

I crossed my fingers as I waited for the jury foreperson to read the verdict. I swore they purposely paused to finish the sentence like we were on some TV show or something.

“Not guilty.”

The breath of relief I let out almost made me light-headed. I’d really had no idea which way this case was going to go.

The defendant—Mrs. Lola Vale, a sixty-two-year-old grandma—gave me and Mr. St. James hugs, then went off to hug her family.

“Good job, Vivian.”

“Thank you, Mr. St. James.” I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of pride. I had worked my butt off on this case, and a name partner was here to see it.

He put his notebook in his briefcase. “I think it’s time you call me Preston, don’t you?”

I didn’t think I was ever going to stop smiling. “Thank you, Preston.”

“You did good work,” he said with a nod and excused himself.

I walked out of the courthouse, feeling like everything I had been working for was becoming worth the sacrifices I’d made.