Page 96 of Margot

“You got me removed from the office. Jovan wants a divorce. I don’t get to see you anymore. I miss you, Lennox.”

I groaned and rubbed my forehead. I was stuck with a needy, drunk woman on my doorstep. I didn’t know what the hell to do to get her away from my house in enough time for me to leave for the concert.

“You don’t miss me. I’m sorry shit is going downhill for you but you’re the one who did this. Not me. Not Jovan. Whatever is going on, you’re going to have to take care of that. Leave me and my wife out of it.”

Tears shimmered in Ebony’s eyes before they dropped from her lashes and slid down her cheeks. “Lennox why can’t I have a man like you?”

“I’m sorry, Ebony. You have to leave.” She shook her head in response and leaned against the brick wall outside.

There was going to be no getting rid of her.

I took my phone out and called the only person I knew of that could help.

Jovan.

“Can you come to my house please?” I sighed into the phone once he answered.

“Why? What’s up, Lennox?”

“Just…come.”

“Okay, sure. Give me a few minutes.” When he ended the call I grabbed my coat and stepped onto the porch with Ebony. I refused to let her in my house but at the same time, I didn’t want to leave a drunk woman on my porch alone.

“Lennox, I feel so lonely,” she sniffled, leaning against me. I put my hands on her shoulders and moved her a few inches away so that she was leaning on the wall again.

“Okay,” I muttered. Even though I knew Jovan wouldn’t show up any time soon, I looked down the road for him. Time was ticking by entirely too slow. Ebony went on a drunken rant about missing me and needing someone to be there for her and it ate up an eternity.

By the time I saw Jovan rolling around the corner, I was ecstatic. Ebony traced my gaze to his car and then glared at me. “You calledhim?” She spat.

“Yes. I calledhim. That’s who you need to spill your guts to. Not me.” Jovan pulled across my driveway and got out with a scowl on his face.

“What the fuck is going on here?” He quizzed, shutting the car door. Ebony folded her arms tightly under her chest and tipped her nose to the sky.

“What the fuck is going on? Your wife…”

“Ex,” Jovan corrected.

“Not ex yet,” I reminded him with a finger in the air. “Your wife came over here and she’s clearly in need of someone to talk to. It’s not me and I didn’t want to be a total dick and call the cops on her. You’re the middle ground. Please get her off my property and go somewhere. Get her a cup of coffee and something to eat. She’s been drinking.”

“I don’t want to go anywhere with him,” Ebony slurred, shaking her head.

“That’s nice, Eb. You need to get the hell away from Lennox’s place though. What if Sutton comes home? Or are you going to break her fingers again?” I listened to them squabble for a few minutes before I went into the house and grabbed something.

I handed Jovan Dr. Adler’s business card and slapped him on the back a couple of times. “Make an appointment to see her. In the meantime, please get your wife off my porch. I have to go see Sutton in a concert.” I went back in the house and closed the door, hoping they’d get the hint to move the fuck on.

I looked out of the window before I got in the shower and they were still standing there but they were both looking at the business card I gave Jovan. By the time I got out of the shower and was dressed, they were gone.

Thank god.

…

When I got to the Meyerhoff building, I made my way to the front. I sat in the third row of seating and put the bouquet of roses in the seat beside me. I didn’t sit directly in the front row because I knew Sutton wouldn’t be able to see me. I’d sink into the shadows.

When the thick black curtain rose and revealed the orchestra, I saw Sutton sitting at the piano with a deep blue gown on that was cut low in the back with lace arms. I stared at her holding my breath for a moment, just to tame the skittering nerves in my stomach.

That was my wife.

I was married to someone so beautiful and unique. When she started playing and her notes hit the air, I was reminded again how brilliant she was.