“What about when it’s not?” I ask raising my eyebrows.
“Then I’ll leave,” he answers like it’s a stupid question I’ve asked.
“So you’ll just dump your son. Again?” I reply incredulously.
“Shut the fuck up, Anabel. You haven’t been there and you don’t know what you’re talking about. You haven’t even got kids.” I feel a stabbing pain in my chest but nod in reply.
“This is true,” I say nothing else. Not seeing the point in having a slanging match.
“Sorry. That was unfair. I know what you’re saying, but I have no answers and the only person I really need to answer to now is Ashley… and my son.”
“Fair point,” I concede.
“So tell me about you and Danny Quinn.” Danny’s name is said in a sneer and I have to stop myself from kicking him between his legs under the table.
“We’re together. It’s permanent. That’s all you need to know.”
Keith works his jaw but doesn’t say anything else. I look around the diner, thinking about how to leave. None of this is progressing us much and I have what I came for, a closure of sorts. Although now I’ve spoken to Keith, I realize I already had closure. I haven’t loved him for so long, I made my peace with the end of us long before I left.
“What did you ask me here for?” I say, trying not to grumble.
“I came to say sorry. I know I wasn’t a great husband, I promised you the world and never delivered. I also came to say that Declan won’t be bothering you anymore. He’s gone away. To his aunts. Apparently they’re putting him in some fancy rehab place to help with the drinking.”
“That will be good for him, hopefully,” I reply.
Keith nods. “The other thing, I’m not contesting the divorce. It should be through soon.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Wait, what? I stopped proceeding because I didn’t have the money,” I explain.
“Yeah, I know, my attorney told me. I paid for it.” His reply shocks me and I sit back.
“What, wait… what?” I almost shriek, happy that the divorce has been progressing but confused about the money situation. “Where have you got money to pay for it?” I demand.
Keith looks sheepish. “Yeah, well, that’s the condition of the divorce. You have to sign the papers.” He brings out divorce papers from his back pocket. “These state that you give up any right to money from me. It also says you’re fully aware of Ashley and Bobby.”
“What?” I’m still confused.
Keith pulls his hand down his face. “I have money. Not loads but my folks left me some. By signing that…” he points to the papers, “…we’ll be divorced. But you’ll also be agreeing to give up any rights to my money.” I look between the paper and his face.
“Why all these years did we live the way we did, if you have money? I’m not talking about the lap of luxury, but we had nothing, I barely scraped together food sometimes.” I’m exasperated, shocked, hurt. This man was supposed to love me, yet he allowed me to live barely humanely and treated me like dirt. I look back to him and know, I’ve lost any respect I still had for him. Just like that, the town I’d always lived in, the one that once held everything I wanted now has nothing. I don’t want to be here anymore. I stand up and grab the pen next to the papers. I sign everywhere that the little yellow stickie’s point to, just glad to be rid of this man. Finally getting his poison out of my life.
“You don’t want to know how much you’re giving up?” he asks, surprised.
“Did I ever in all our years together give you a reason to think that I cared about money?
Ever ?” I growl.
Keith looks down at the papers, checking they’re all signed in the right places.
“Whatever! You can move on with Danny the dick now,” he sneers.
“Yeah, that’s where my happily ever after lies, Keith. I suggest you try and find yours,” I answer and walk out. I’m barely to the other side of the road to Amanda’s car, when the bitch twins walk out of the salon.
“Well, lookie here, little miss perfect, Anabel Vincent,” Jenny spits out and my shoulders drop turning to face them, this isn’t what I need right now.
“It’s Anabel Adams,” I reply coldly.
“Oh, yeah. Keith traded you in I heard,” Samantha spits.
“Is there something the two of you want?” I snap.
Both their eyes widen. “Well, look who got a backbone.” Jenny smirks.
“Is there a reason you both still act like a pair of teenagers? All bitchy and pouty?” I ask shaking my head. Jenny says nothing while Samantha splutters at my question. “You’re both ridiculous, you know that, right? Both aging, still spitting your bitchy gossip to the world. You know what I say? Carry on talking about me. That’s what I say. Because if you’re talking about me, then you’re not talking about anyone else, right? And I truly don’t care. I don’t care what you say, who you say it to and most of all, I don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about me. It only matters what I think of myself. When you two idiots realize that, it will be a better day for the world. Because you talking about other people, says nothing about them, and everything about you.” Their mouths gape open, but I don’t have time to enjoy it. Pulling the door of the car open, I make my way home. The house I’m traveling to isn’t my home. It’s taken me years to realize what’s important.
I’ll never forget again.
Danny is my home.
“I asked Bel to marry me, Mom,” I tell her down the phone line.
“What! Dennis… Dennis, listen to this!” my mom screeches down my ear while hollering the news to my pop. I hear him muttering in the background, then my ma covers the phone with her hand. I don’t get it, why cover the phone? She’s not telling him something I don’t already know. I hear my pop cheering and then Mom moves back to the phone. “Oh, darling boy, we’re so happy for you. That girl always belonged to you. I remember when she came to us crying on her wedding day. Such a shame that things got so confused.”
“They didn’t get confused, Ma, I was just a dick.” I chuckle.
“Danny! Language!” Mom scolds. “Oh, I can’t wait to call and tell your sister, she’ll be so happy. Glad you got rid of that Shannon. Ugh, gold digger that one, I said so from day one. I said ‘Dennis that Shannon ain’t no more than a gold digger.’”
I sigh, having heard this a million times, it’s nothing new. I knew my parents would be happy when I told them about Bel. They loved her when we were younger when we were friends. I think my mom always knew I had feelings for her, and I told my pop the truth. He’d said I was stupid for sending her away, based on the worry of leaving her in this town. He said, ‘Love doesn’t come around every day.’ I never knew how true his words were back then. “Tell me about the ring,” Mom demands excitedly.
“I haven’t got her one,” I reply hanging my head, aware of what’s coming.
“What! Why ever not?” she complains. Anyone would think it was something for her.
“I asked her on the spur of the moment, I didn’t have a ring.” My explanation doesn’t go down well when Mom coughs and splutters down the line.
“You asked her on the spur of the moment! Are you crazy? You took Shannon for a meal and proposed, yet with Bel it’s a spur of the moment thing? I have no words, son of mine.” I can imagine her shaking her head and I chuckle. “Do not laugh at me, Danny. You’re not too big for me to spank you.”
I laugh now. “Yeah Mom, I started being too big for a spanking when I was about eight. Anyway. You know Bel. She’s never cared about money, showing off or anything flash, it came from the heart and that’s all that matters. Besides, I’m taking her to buy a ring tomorrow. We’re going to a hotel in the city tonight, it’s a surprise, I’m treating her Mom so park your handbag, okay?” I suppress laughter this time.
Saying my goodbyes and promising to bring Bel to visit with them soon, I then make some final arrangements with Layla for what I want sorted tonight. Luckily, I didn’
t rent anywhere before I started staying at Amanda’s house. I’m itching to get back, just to take a look over everything. I know Layla is more than capable, but I miss it. It’s something I’m good at. I’m also aware that the new venture I wanted to start has stalled since Gabrielle was cut out. There’s been no real estate that I’ve been happy with. I’ve been thinking of alternatives, and keeping myself as fresh as possible with the ice cream store, but it’s only a small venture and it won’t keep me busy for long. If I’m going to stay here, I need to set something up, somewhere that I can use as a headquarters. I can’t sit around doing nothing every day. Although, burying myself inside Bel seems like a pretty good use of my time. From what she told me the other night, though, things need to go gently. I have plans for tonight. Bel said she wanted soon. Tonight I want to do everything in a way that’s truly beautiful.
Hearing the front door creak open I move to meet her.
“Hey,” her sweet voice always fills me with warmth, and even now I have to pinch myself to remember this is real, that I finally have the woman I’ve always wanted. She’s mine. And I’m fucking keeping her forever.
“Hey, baby. How did things go with Keith?” I’m asking gently, slipping my arms around her and kissing her mouth softly. In truth, I want to rip his fucking throat out for even asking her to meet him.
“It was fine. He told me about Ashley and Bobby, which was nothing more than I already knew. He then produced divorce papers.” I feel myself jerk and her head jolts from my movement.
“Sorry Bel, but what?” I ask surprised.
“Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction. I stopped the divorce because I’d run out of spare funds.” I contain the frustration I feel. Knowing that she might not be getting divorced right now due to money and yet hadn’t told me, and knowing Bel she’d also argue if I offered to pay for it. This money situation has to be addressed. “He told me he’d continued with it, and paid for it. Turns out he has money, I don’t know how much and I don’t care. He’s had us living like that all these years when he could have made my life easier. Whatever, it’s done now. So he offered me the divorce as long as I signed to say I give up any right on the money.”
“So what did you do?” I ask… stupidly when I realize Bel is glaring at me.
“What do you think, you ass,” she snaps and I chuckle. “Not funny douche canoe.”
“Douche canoe… really?” I mock her.
She gives me a dirty look and I figure now’s a good time to shut up. “Listen, baby,” I tell her kissing the end of her nose. “You know I’ve secured a couple of jewelers to go visit tomorrow.”
“You mean Layla secured them.” She smirks.
“Yeah, well, that’s what I pay her for,” I reply, with my own smirk.
“Pig.” She returns then laughs. I watch her, really watch her. It feels like forever since she genuinely laughed. I love her laugh, I always have. This, right here, is what’s been missing from my life.
“Okay, baby. So I thought tonight, I’d treat you. We’re going to go stay in a hotel in the city, have dinner out and then tomorrow we can pick out your engagement ring.
Bel squeaks and stands on her toes. She kisses the hinge of my jaw and I only just stop myself from taking her upstairs and ruining my plans for tonight, when she leans forward her hot breath in my ear and she whispers, “Thank you, Danny.”
I stand on the balcony of the incredible hotel Danny has brought us to. The lights sparkle all around the city but we’re high enough up that I can still see the stars in the sky. “I feel like you’re giving me everything I ever wanted, yet you can’t be here to enjoy it with me. I miss you every day.” My soft words, as usual, go unrequited as the sadness spreads through me. I still talk to Amanda every day. I don’t think that will ever change. She’s in everything I do because a part of her will always be inside me.
“You ready?” Danny asks from behind, slipping his arms around me and kissing my neck where it meets my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I whisper. I’m wearing the navy satin dress that Amanda got for me. The one I never got to wear for her wedding. It’s beautiful and it deserves to be worn. Danny threads his fingers through mine and leads us out of the room, down the hall to the elevator, where we travel with another couple to the ground floor. Once there he pulls me through the foyer and out to a waiting limousine.
“I’ve never been in one of these,” I breathe out, looking at everything.
“Get used to it, baby,” Danny says and I let out a little scream when he lifts me into his lap.
“Danny, there’s room in here for ten people. I don’t need to sit on your lap,” I say with a smile.
“Yes you do,” he answers and pulls my blonde hair away from my shoulder allowing him access to my neck. He nuzzles his mouth into me peppering soft kisses along my collarbone. I’m transported somewhere because within what feels like seconds, we stop and there’s a voice crackling through an intercom telling Mr. Quinn that we’ve arrived at our destination. The car door opens and Danny gets out, turning immediately to me. I slip my hand into his and he guides me out and into the restaurant. After speaking to the hostess, we move through a busy front room until we come to a small, secluded table at the back, next to a beautiful fireplace. “There have been so many times over the years sitting in nice restaurants, or even in mine on business, when I’ve wished I could be sitting across from you. Wondering what you were doing, how your life was. You know this kind of thing never really happens,” he says pointing between us.
“What, real love?” I say confused.
“No, second chances with love.” He chuckles and it goes straight to my lady bits like I’m being tickled there. I’m not sure how much longer I can go without at least trying with this man. I’m still scared of sex, but after talking to him about it, I’ve wanted it more and more. I trust him. He told me he had me, that I come first. I know he’s telling the truth. We’ve done everything else, that’s the only thing left. Deciding that if he doesn’t make his move tonight, then I will settle my mind, and I feel calm for about twenty minutes until it starts sinking in that I’m going to have sex tonight. “What’s wrong? You’ve just turned pale,” Danny asks, grabbing my hand across the table just as our starters are served.
I’m thrown from my panic and all thoughts of sex disappear when I register that I didn’t order anything. “I haven’t ordered yet,” I reply and Danny’s lips twitch at my sudden change in conversation.
“No, I pre-ordered our food,” he replies with a smirk.
“Oh, I didn’t even know you could do that.” I’m not sure whether to be happy or annoyed.
“You can. I hope you don’t mind. I ordered the French Onion soup to start, the chicken risotto for main, and the honeycomb cheesecake for desert. If you want to change any of that say the word and I’ll have it amended.”
I look down at my soup. The aroma wafts up to my nose assaulting me with its delicious smells. “No, you did well. I think I’ll keep you,” I say with a smile while relaxing.
“So, have you thought any more about the ice cream parlor? I’m ready to get started when you are,” Danny tells me before starting on his food. I consider how to answer him. This is a shop he’s bought. He owns it and he’s basically giving it to me. I place my spoon back down. Danny sees this and does the same, recognizing that I need his attention. “Bel? What is it?” he asks concerned.
“I don’t want you to be angry.”
“Not possible, baby. Tell me.”
I nod my head in reply. “I don’t want to stay here.” Danny looks around, so quickly I continue talking. “Not here… I mean in our town. I want to leave. Leave the town, the house, the shop, I want to leave it all.” I look down into my soup.
“Eyes babe,” Danny demands and I look at him instantly. “You want to leave, we’ll leave. We can go to my place in San Francisco, which has been home for me for five years. I have a place in New York. One in Florida and a couple in Europe. You want somewhere new? T
hen we can make that happen. This is a new start for us both. We’ve had challenges from the beginning, I’m not about to make them harder. I love you, Bel. I’m easily pleased. For me, I’m happy if you’re happy,” he tells me. His face is full of warmth and love.
“I’d like to go to San Francisco and get to know Layla a bit. Although, not if we’re going to bump into your ex-wife,” I tell him, chewing on my bottom lip.
He chuckles and I feel it run through me again. “Shannon has moved back to be near her parents in Idaho. You won’t see her. Anyway, even if she hadn’t, part of the divorce settlement was that she can’t contact me, or you, or any of my family or friends. So she wouldn’t have been a bother,” he explains and I feel a slow exhale escape from my chest and out through my nose.
“Okay, but there’s something else. I’m worried about... Rubén.” I watch as Danny’s face contorts in pain. “I don’t like him being alone. I know his momma moved in with her sister recently, Pastor Wilson told me. He also said that she had the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. Rubén has no one now, except us.”
Danny nods. “He’s gone to Seattle. We could head there first. Check in on him, stay a while? If we can convince him to move back to his New York office, I can move us to my New York apartment. Then we can be in contact regularly. Would that make you feel better?” he asks.
“Yeah. Plus Christmas in New York. Wow!” I say excitedly.
We chat throughout the rest of the meal. Catching up on all the little things we haven’t had time to focus on. We also make plans. I decide to keep the shop exactly as it is for now—closed, but empty. I also decide that I don’t want to give the house up. But I do have an idea of how it could be useful. I never plan on moving back here, but I simply cannot let the house go completely. My whole future is tied up in this man that sits opposite me. I explain my thought processes to Danny, in that I want to pass the keys to Pastor Wilson. Then if any family happen upon hard times, if anyone is about to be put on the street, he has that house should he need to temporarily give someone refuge. Danny shakes his head, telling me that I never cease to amaze him. I take that as a compliment and can’t wipe the smile off my face, even when I don’t like the dessert.
Finally Unbroken Page 23