Chapter 19

Iopen the passenger door of my Porsche, and Felicity gets in as I do up her belt.

Jogging around the back, I climb in the driver's side and fire up the engine, flicking her heated seat on full blast. It's early December and cold out, but Felicity's shaking, badly, especially since we just stepped out of a sweltering bar.

Something happened in there. I don't know if it was the blond dude who I wanted to lay out as soon as I saw him zeroing in on her. Or was it something else, maybe in the bathroom? She's clamming up on me though, I can tell.

"Sorry to drag you away from your celebrations." She offers me a tiny smile, but her face is washed out and her eyes are heavy.

"If you need to go home, then I'm always going to be the one to look after you." I could've stayed for another hour or so, and I was supposed to be keeping watch on a volatile Zach, especially with Amie around, but I've no doubt Jensen has that covered.

I place my hand gently on her thigh, desperate to bring her comfort. "Want to tell me what's wrong?"

"Not really. I'm just tired. Long day."

I know that's not all, far from it. But she didn't push me earlier when I alluded to my anxiety issues, so I repay her the favor and focus on the road and getting her home.

I pull into her apartment complex parking lot alongside a green Mini Cooper. I don't need to ask to know whose it is, but I do anyway. All I want to do is make her smile again.

Tipping my head in the direction of the car. "Did you ship it from England?"

"Yes, I did actually, but you do know they sell them here. In case you're interested and fancy trading your Porsche in for an upgrade."

I burst out laughing, sassy Felicity is back and I'm here for it. "I doubt I'll get one leg in that thing."

"That thing?By that I assume you're referring to Martha."

"Martha," I repeat, laughing even harder.

She looks hurt at my mocking. "Yes, Martha Mini, and that's a little presumptuous since I haven't invited you for a spin."

"Shame, I was looking forward to a ride." At this point, we both know I'm no longer referring to Martha.

Felicity looks away, her shy demeanor returning at the flirtatious turn our conversation has taken. I wonder if she's always been this reserved with men or if it's the effect her bullshit ex has had on her. That thought alone makes me want to pummel him into the ground.

"I haven't got much in food-wise." She changes the subject as we head to the stairwell.

"That's okay, Angel, we can order something in. I'm on cheat day tomorrow, I can just bring it forward a few hours." I pull out my phone to place an order. "Pizza?"

She lets out a hearty sigh. "Ah, yeah that sounds perfect."

"Any preference?" I ask as we climb the stairs to her place on the third floor.

She taps her finger on her bottom lip, considering her options, but all I can think about is how that perfect mouth feels on mine, and I almost lose my footing on the next step."I'm fairly easygoing, but black olives are an absolute must."

I screw my face up. "No danger of that. The devil's food."

"What?" She stops in front of me. "Your lack of pizza topping sophistication is disappointing, and since you can count on one hand the number of takeaways you've had, I say my knowledge is superior."

"Well, pizza rookie or not, you're stuck with me now, woman."

I haul her over my shoulder using one arm to carry her the rest of the way to her apartment, and I fight back the urge to bite her perfect, round ass resting just next to my face. She squeals and tries to break free, but she's so light, she's not going anywhere. I even manage to complete the order with my other hand."I've put black olives on the pizza, but you should know I wouldn't do that for anyone else."

Her tiny fists beat on my back in mock protest. "Oh, I'm such a lucky girl."

"Hell, yes you are." But not half as lucky as me.

"Felicity?"

Jon comes to a complete stop as we reach the third floor, my ass in the air and back to my apartment door. I recognize that voice, one that racks a cold shiver through me.

"And you are?" Jon asks, his tone suspicious.

"I could ask you the exact same thing."

It's Elliot. I wouldn't miss that self-assured, superior tone anywhere.

Jon pulls me off his shoulder and sets me down so I'm standing beside him, though I'm still pressed firmly to his side. "What are you doing here, Elliott?" I sound exasperated, and I am. Seeing Elliott outside my door is the last thing I need.

"I've been calling and texting you for the past three days," he snipes.

"Can we just go inside?" I step away from Jon, opening my front door. "I don't want to make a scene here."

"I'm not making a scene."

Once inside, I kick off my boots and stride down the hallway toward the kitchen before turning to Elliott. "What can I do for you? I thought you were in Oxford, and where's Darcy?"

"I've been back here for the last couple of days, checking in with the fund manager's performance and making sure all is going smoothly since I left. Darcy is with Liam like she always is," Elliott replies, all the while keeping an eye on Jon, who's standing in the kitchen entryway, fists balled at his sides. "You haven't answered my calls, and I need to talk to you. I fly back home tomorrow, so you left me no choice but to come to your apartment and wait."

I look to Jon, who's barely moved from his position, continuing to stare Elliott down.I drop my bag on the counter, still not meeting Elliott's eyes. "You told me whatever you had to say has nothing to do with Darcy or Jack, and our divorce has been finalized. I don't see what more there is to talk about."

He deflects my statement, angling his head toward Jon instead. "Who's this guy?"

"I'm her boyfriend." He comes to stand beside me, wrapping a strong protective arm around my waist.

That's the second time he's referred to himself as my boyfriend tonight, and I kind of like it. Even if we both know it's not true and he's saying it only for my benefit.

Elliott looks to Jon and then back to me, his jaw agape. "You're joking, right?" His voice is laced with pitying amusement.

I don't deny it and decide to follow Jon's lead. I want Elliott out of my apartment as quickly as possible and this seems like the best plan. "What do you want?" I ask again.

"Seriously. You're with him?" Elliott looks to the ground, his hands coming to his hips as he shakes his head in disbelief. "What, are you having some sort of mid-life crisis now, Felicity? Messing around with dumb jocks? Jesus, you've really let yourself go?—"

It happens faster than I can register.

Jon is across the kitchen and in his face, pinning him against the wall with one arm under his chin, his other fist bunched at his side, ready to unleash."What did you just say to her, asshole?"

Elliott's eyes go wide, a terrified look strewn across his face. "Let go of me you thug."

"It's okay, Jon," I reassure him, although I'm shaking with anger myself.Drawing in a steadying breath, I decide to ask Elliott one final time. "Why are you here?"

Now released from Jon's hold, although very much still under his towering gaze, he brushes himself off, straightening out his collar. "I want to talk to you in private."

"You can say to her whatever you need in front of me."

For the first time, Elliott looks uncomfortable, his shoulders slightly slumped. "I wanted to talk about us." He takes a step toward me, a look of vulnerability in his eyes, one I don't think I've ever seen before. "I think. I think we made a mistake. I miss you, Felicity."

I'm fixed to the spot. I don't know how much time passes, Elliott staring at me, Jon staring at Elliott with a murderous look in his eyes, and me? I'm just zoned out, looking right through Elliott. I hear his words, but they mean absolutely nothing. I feel nothing at all for this man. My ex-husband and father of my children.

Finally, I break the silence, shaking my head as I do. "I'm sorry, but I think we made exactly the right decision. Separating was the best thing that could ever happen to me. I was miserable in a loveless marriage, and if you're being honest, I know you felt that too." My voice begins to crack but I press on, desperate to get the words out. "I felt unloved and unappreciated. Our entire relationship revolved around you and what you wanted, where you wanted to be. Your job came first above us all, and lately, I've been able to find myself again. Make friends, go out, have fun."

"So that's it, huh? Almost two decades of marriage down the drain all because you want to go out and have fun?" he retorts in a mocking tone, his fists propped on his hips.

I shake my head and take a step toward him, trying to steady my breathing. "No. Our marriage has been over for many years, way before we came to live out here. I'm moving on with my life, and you should, too."

"Moving on with him?" he bites out, pointing a finger in Jon's direction. "Some NHL playboy? Surely you don't think it's possible to have a serious relationship with someone like him. He'll take what he wants from you and dump you the first chance he gets." A disgusted sneer crosses his face as he casts his eyes down my body. "Jesus, he probably already has. You should get yourself checked out."

"You fucking what?" Jon grits out, his jaw ticking. I can tell he's about to lose all control, but something holds him back, and I know it's out of respect for me. But if I gave the word, I suspect my ex-husband would be flat on his back, nursing a broken jaw at best.

Steeling my shoulders I reply, "Who I do or don't date has nothing to do with you anymore. You lost that right the moment you started treating me like a second-class citizen."I've never stood up to Elliott, always choosing to back down and yield to his demands. But not tonight, not anymore. I'm worth more than the way he treated me."I think you should leave." I point to the front door.

He scoffs, "You're kicking me out?"

"She asked you to leave. Now go before I put you through the fucking wall." Jon strides across the room once again, Elliott's palms flying up in front of him in surrender. He's clearly intimidated.

"Okay, fine. I'm gone. But this isn't over, Felicity. You're making a mistake. Darcy wants us to give it another go, and I think she's right. If she finds out you're shacked up with some hotshot hockey player, she'll be devastated. Is that the example you want to set for your children? That their mum has lowered herself to some sort of puck bunny? I'm giving you a second chance, an opportunity to come home to your family. Just, think about it." Then he turns, strides down the hallway, and yanks the door open, leaving it to slam behind him.

I fall to my knees, every emotion that's been simmering under the surface finally erupting out of me. And I sob. All the while, I'm being held in Jon's comforting arms, his hand gently smoothing my hair as he rocks us slowly, reassuring me it's all going to be okay.