Page 91 of Baxter's Right-Hand Man

Okay. All right.

I could practically hear my therapist ask, “How does that make you feel?”

Quite honestly…nothing.

Absolutely, beautifully nothing.

No pang of longing, no regrets, no insta-replay in my mind of the many times we’d planned a future together.

Just…nothing.

“Congratulations, Tony,” I said sincerely.

“Thank you. It all happened kind of fast.”

“Oh? How’d you meet?”

“My boss introduced us. Xavier is Jose’s cousin,” he replied. “Do you remember Jose?”

“I do.” And geez, that was almost too perfect.

Tony cleared his throat nervously. “Hey, I…maybe I should have told you sooner. I didn’t know how to do that without hurting you and I thought—”

“No, no. I’m fine,” I assured him.

I was very fine. In fact, I felt oddly…free. We really had just grown apart. I couldn’t change myself to make him happy. I couldn’t be the “asset” he needed in a husband. I was far too demanding for that. I wanted a partner…an equal. I’d never truly had that with Tony.

Vindication was a powerful drug. I felt almost high on an intoxicating dose of self-worth. God, it was good.

“Are you, um…seeing anyone?” he asked after a moment.

“I am.” I smiled. It was meant to be a quick carefree gesture, but it morphed into an ear-to-ear grin and a blush.Damn it, Pierce.

Tony’s mouth curled at the corners. “Good. I wish you well, Lo.”

“Thanks. You too.”

We stood at the same time and shuffled to the entrance, tossing our to-go cups into the recycle bin before stepping outside. I popped my sunglasses on my nose and held out my hand. Tony slid his palm against mine and pulled me in for an impromptu hug that lasted a beat longer than any average good-bye hug. But this was it.

A final farewell and a chapter closed.

Damn, it felt good.

* * *

“What the ever-livin’fuck? Back up, boy. Tony’s married? To a man?”

I handed Bran the stack of mail I’d picked up on my way in. “Yep. Xavier. He showed me their wedding photo. They got hitched in Cancun…on Valentine’s Day.”

Bran widened his eyes and set his hand over his mouth. “No way.”

“Way.” I bent to rub Benson’s belly.

“Are you…okay?”

“Are you kidding?” I countered. “It was therapeutic. The timing couldn’t have been better, and it was very amicable. I wish him well.”

Bran gave me a suspicious once-over. “You’re definitely seeing someone.”