The Club by Tara Brown writing as Sophie Starr Read Free Book Online Page B

looking at me with a sideways glance. “We have to be who we are, not who
they want us to be.”
    It makes me
smile, a true and honest-to-God smile.
    He stops in
front of my building. I look at him, puzzled at who he has become as the night
has worn on. “Thank you for tonight. It was fun, Mr. Bennett.”
    “Back to the
last name, are we?” He winces, reaching for my hand and lifting it in the air.
When he presses his lips to the back of my hand I shudder. I know that kiss.
But he doesn't give me a chance to recall where I know him from. He nods,
stepping back and releasing me from his charms. “I had a good time tonight as
well, Ms. Edwards.”
    I glance back
at the building. “How did you know where I lived?”
    “It is a
smaller city than you know.” He bows once, turns and walks away, leaving me to
stare after him, puzzled and intrigued all at once.
    “Good evening,
Ms. Edwards.” George has the door when I turn.
    The smile
stuck on my face stays for our greeting. “Good evening, George. How are you?”
    He nods.
“Well, ma’am.”
    “Have a lovely
night.” I wave as I walk to catch the elevator up to my floor.
    “You as well.”
    The entire
ride up, one question burns through me: why the hell does he have to be my
client?

 

Chapter Six

 
    George opens
the cab door for me. “Good evening, Ms. Edwards. There is another parcel for
you.”
    “You’re sure?”
Dread fills me. I haven’t received my divorce papers yet, and I desperately
don't want to see them, even if I have to face the facts. If I’m really lucky
maybe Evan will have stuck one of his ultrasound photos of the baby in them.
    He opens the
door to the building for me and follows me to the desk. He looks for a moment
behind the desk before lifting a box like the first one. It’s a dress box for
sure. My insides burn with something I wish I could label fear or anxiety but
it’s mostly excitement. The idea of the entire evening being spent with
reckless abandon is stimulating and racy, but only for a moment. “Is there a
return address?”
    He shakes his
head, squinting and looking at the box. “Nothing but your name.”
    I sigh, taking
it from him and turning toward the elevator. Apparently, my text to cancel my
membership at Club Sin wasn't well received. I can’t help but wonder if maybe I
can just wait for the woman in black to come and hand her back the card and the
box, explaining my lack of interest.
    In the
elevator the box makes me feel a bit dirty. I know there’s going to be a mask
and something fitting for being pawed and getting too drunk. When the doors
open I run to my apartment, shoving my door open and throwing the box down. I
close the door with my back and lean against it.
    I agree not to
open the box. It’s mental and not the strongest of agreements I have made with
myself.
    The phone
rings, distracting me. I step over the sordid white box, lifting the phone off
the counter. “Hello?” There is silence for a moment. I say it again. “Hello?”
    “Hi, Hannah.”
It’s Evan.
    I gag a little
bit. “What?”
    He’s silent
again for a moment before speaking softly. “I haven’t received my alimony payments
yet, and when I spoke to the lawyer he said you hadn’t filled out the necessary
paperwork. He had sent you some forms to sign to ensure we don't have to be the
ones to discuss it.”
    I glance at
the manila envelope on my counter, slumping a little spiritually. “I have
signed them and sent them off. He should have them any day.” I pause for a
moment, desperate to rein my hate in but it doesn't work. “Have you found a
better job yet? One more suitable for a man about to have a kid?” He is the
hipster joke, only in the flesh. I used to think his little songs were sweet.
Now I see just what Logan was talking about. Finding someone like Logan or me
is hard work. Finding a cute piece of ass is simple.
    “No, I
actually cut my hours a bit. We can make it on my income alone for the year so
we can both