The Red River, University of Texas vs. Oklahoma University, game plays on the TV in the background as Trey and I lounge around Calla’s dining room table in our sweat-soaked clothes. She’s in the kitchen making BLT&A's for the three of us. Thankfully, Forest isn’t here, or we wouldn’t hear the end of it. Damn Sooner. OU is kicking our asses, making me cringe every time I glance at the game.

Trey reads over the latest review of Belladonna, while I scan Calla's notes.

“Damn,” Trey mutters.

Calla turns to see what is going on. I look up and bump Trey's arm with my eyebrows raised, silently asking what he means by that.

“New review. Have you read this?” Trey hands the review over for me to read.

Calla sighs, turning back to the bacon sizzling in the pan.

“No.” The paper rustles in my hands, and I clear my throat to read it aloud. “It seems the chefs at Belladonna want to take their name seriously. I hope Calla figures out her issues soon. I miss her cooking.”

“Lovely!” Calla mutters.

I crumple the paper, shaping it into a ball. Then I set up my shot and toss the paper ball into the trash can.

“Score!”

Trey laughs, shaking his head. We both look toward Calla when she carries three small plates over to the table. Her face is red and slightly moist.

“Darlin’, it's going to be fine. We’re going to fix this,” Trey smiles as she hands him a plate.

I push her notes toward Trey, and he looks them over.

“These look great, Calla. Between what Trey, Forest, and I have been working on and these, we should be golden in no time.”

“I don't know. I’m getting so sick of these awful reviews. I know something is lacking, I just don't know what that something is.”

“We should try some of these ideas. Maybe start by adding them as specials. Have one appetizer, a salad, three main dishes, and one dessert. That way we can see which of the new ideas our guests are liking then slowly start adding them into main the menus,” I suggest.

Trey and I stare at her, and all she does is shrug. I roll my eyes as Trey rubs his and shakes his head. Calla looks down at the notes then at her food, taking in a deep breath and exhaling it. I take a bite of my sandwich and wait.

“Are you guys sure about this?” she asks, holding her sandwich halfway to her mouth.

Unable to speak with my mouth full, I nod, as does Trey. Calla bites into her sandwich before placing it on the plate and reaching for her notes. Reading over them, she takes in another deep breath.

“Alright. Let's start creating an all-new menu. I want it perfect, and your idea of introducing the plates as specials first is great.” She pushes the paper back toward the center of the table.

“Do you think we can prepare the specials menu for this week?” Trey pipes in.

“I’m up for it,” I add before taking another bite of my sandwich.

Both Trey and I hoot in victory as Calla rolls her eyes, laughing at our exchange. She takes small bites of her sandwich as both of us demolish ours. I get up and walk toward the kitchen sink with my plate and Trey's. I pull out Calla's pen and paper drawer and grab two pens and some extra paper for the three of us to write on. I quickly return to the table, and we begin discussing Calla's notes and writing different menus with the dishes.

“We need to come up with names for these.” I point to Calla’s notes with a pen.

“And figure out what day we want to try them. Calla, is your calendar close?” Trey asks her.

“My calendar should be in my bag.” She makes a move to stand.

“Stay there and finish eating. Is your bag by the door, or in your office?” Trey gestures for her to sit as he stands up.

“Office, I think.”

Trey leaves the dining room and heads in the direction of Calla’s office. I reach over to grab her hand.

“You sure you're ready for this?” I question.

“It's time to purge the last of Torrance from my life.” She squeezes my hand. “Thanks for checking.”

“Damn, Darlin’, we need to get this office organized. How can you find anything?” Trey calls from the other room.

Hard pounding at the front door interrupts any retort Calla would have given, and she jumps.

“Who would be here at this hour?” Calla mutters as she checks her watch and heads to the door.

Trey re-enters the dining room and glances at me. Disbelief flashes in Trey’s gaze as we recognize the unseen speaker.

“Is Wes here?” Zoe’s voice is clear. And accusing.

I shake my head, and Trey stares toward the entry.

“Great! Can't she just leave me alone?”

Trey glances toward me then back at the door as Calla follows Zoe into the dining room.

“What the hell, Wes?” Zoe yells, placing her hands on her hips, glaring at me.

I roll my eyes. Calla walks around Zoe, picks up the menu ideas, and moves out of the dining room, Trey following her lead.

“Now you're following me? Have you even packed any of your shit?”

I study Zoe's expressions as Calla and Trey head down the hallway. I am trying not to lose my temper in Calla’s home. Relief fills me when they are finally out of the room. Then Zoe pounces.

“It's not like you're hard to find.” Zoe glares at me.

I stare back at her, my temper building.

“This is the first place I looked,” she continues.

“Not this again,” I moan. My parents are just going to have to deal. I can’t live like this, or with her, any longer.

“Yes, this again.”

“I’ve told you more than a few times, Zoe. We. Are. Over. You have three days to get out of my place. I’ll pick up some things before I go in to work tonight. When I come back on day four, there better not be any damage to anything.” The faint sound of running water catches my attention. I stand, moving toward Zoe. Without placing a hand on her, I escort her to the door.

“You can't do that,” Zoe stutters.

“Yes, I can. And I just did.”

I guide Zoe to the door, opening it wide.

“Don't do this. Please.” Tears fill her eyes and roll down her cheeks.

She’s used those crocodile tears before when I’ve tried to get out of this relationship, and I shouldn’t have let them get to me. The only thing I ever got out of being with her was the opportunity to play with other subs at Crave. Funny enough... that was her idea, not mine. And I was sure as fuck not looking that gift horse in the mouth.

“Just stop. It's over, and those fake tears won't work this time. Now go!” I gesture for her to leave.

Zoe’s tears stop immediately, and she glowers at me. “Fine, I’ll go. But you will regret this.” She storms out the door and down the hall.

The only thing I regret is staying with you this long. We should’ve been over years ago.