“Why the fuck are you going after my Jeep, Sonya?” I asked once I’d calmed down some, having changed into jeans and a t-shirt with a plaid button down over it which made me feel more relaxed.

“I thought I’d sell the SUV to have money since I’m not working,” she replied.

I gritted my teeth. “That Jeep was a gift from my parents when I graduated from Penn State. You’re not fucking taking it.”

“Calm down, Beck. Jesus. It was just a thought.”

“And the t-shirt? Really?” I huffed out a humorless laugh.

“We bought them on our honeymoon. I just think it’s weird for you to keep it.”

She was talking about a black “Mr. Right” shirt for me with a matching pink “Mrs. Right” for her we’d bought in Atlantic City on our honeymoon. “I’ll give it to the fucking Salvation Army then, Christ. Are you gonna continue to be petty through this whole fucking divorce?” I asked.

“I’m not trying to be petty, Beck,” she replied snottily. “I just want to make sure I’ve covered all the bases.”

“Look, the SUV is paid for. All you have is rent and I’m sure Tech Dude can handle that.”

“Grant and I want to get a bigger place because, well, we just do…”

“What’re you saying, Sonya?” Fuck. Was she pregnant?

“I’m just saying we want a bigger place is all, God.”

“Are you gonna marry this guy?” I asked, curious as to how long I’d be paying alimony.

And here’s the deal. I didn’t have a problem paying her alimony. Matter of fact, my lawyer had drawn up a pendente lite form while I’d been there today which was a motion for me to pay her temporary maintenance while our divorce was pending. What I did have a problem with, though, was paying Grant the Tech Guy. Yeah, yeah, I know I had no control over how the money was spent, it was the law that said I had no say, blah blah, blah, but the law sometimes fucking sucked.

“Probably,” she whispered.

“I only want you to be happy, Sonya. You haven’t been happy in a long time, so I hope this guy can do that for you.”

“He does.”

I wasn’t in love with her, hadn’t been for a long time, but that still stung a little, made me wonder why I hadn’t made her happy. But then I realized it didn’t matter.

“Good. Now, am I gonna get any more texts demanding shit? I’m trying my best to do right by you. I’ll keep you on my insurance until you get on his, you’ve got money coming to help you until this is over, and I’ll burn the fucking t-shirt.”

She chuckled. “I was just having a moment. Sorry. And, Beck? I really am sorry about everything. I did love you. And we did have some good times.”

“I’m sorry too. And, yeah, we did.”

We sat there in silence—what were the words that could repair the brokenness between us—until I finally spoke.

“Goodnight, Sonya.”

After we hung up, I looked around at the boxes in my living room. My furniture was coming in the morning and the building superintendent was letting the delivery men in, so I cleared out an area hoping it was large enough to hold the things I’d bought.

Then I realized I was hungry because I hadn’t eaten at the restaurant and Birdie had our food.

Text Message—Tues, Jan 10, 9:14 p.m.

Me: How about a late dinner?

Birdie: Sounds good. Here or there?

Me: Since you have a table, there ; ) See you in a few

I locked up then walked the thirty-or-so feet to Birdie’s stoop and pushed the buzzer. She didn’t bother saying anything, just buzzed me in. At the top of the stairs, I saw her at her open door, chin resting on her hand that held it, a gorgeous smile on her face.

And I fell harder for her than I had before. She was so good. Kind. Caring. Beautiful. She’d been through hell but had come out stronger. She was a survivor who hadn’t complained about her situation. No, she’d made it better. She’d challenged herself. And the love I had for her was deep, powerful, intense, unlike any I’d ever experienced before.

And I was done with being just friends.

Her widening eyes at my approach let me know she sensed my mood.

When I made it to her, I pulled her inside the apartment with me, closing the door and pushing her back against it. Then I kissed her long and hard and it was fucking great.

When I pulled back, she blinked slowly as she looked up at me.

“Wow,” she murmured.

Wow was fucking right.