y after two years of his nonsense.
I turn hoping Joelle gets up to go to the break room and stops giving me dirty that look as I whisper into the phone. “Allen, our daughter needs consistency. She doesn’t need to be confused.”
“Like you going out and dating men all the time?”
“What are you talking about?” I forget where I am yelling into the phone. Joelle clicks her pen loudly and if I had something to throw at her I would.
“I saw you. You were at the Pier 31 restaurant.” Yeah, I was there, for dinner with Piper and her husband Milo who happens to be Maisy’s doctor. He’d know that if he showed up as a father once in a while. It was strictly dinner and of course Allen had to make it something crazy which it wasn’t. Not that I was going to broadcast what I did when I got home alone in my shower at night thinking of Jax.
“I’m not dating men. I was having dinner with Piper and her husband. They invited a friend.” It wasn’t a lie. It was a truth somewhere in the middle. Besides, whatever I did was none of Allen’s business. He didn’t get to demand explanations from me anymore. He didn’t get to be the convenient father or ex-husband when it suited him.
“I better not catch you out with anyone.”
“Or what Allen? We’re divorced or have you forgotten that?”
“You’re still mine Diana. You’ll always be mine.”
“You’re crazy Allen. don’t call me here again.” I hang up the phone barely getting a breath when I look up and see Joelle standing in front of my desk.
“Natalie wants to see you.” She smirks and walks back to her desk. Part of me wishes she would trip in her too high heels and bring her reality back down to Earth.
“I’m sure she does.” I mutter under my breath getting up to knock on my boss’ door.
“Come in.” I stand at the threshold entering Natalie Croix’s office. My boss is the best, most understanding person I know besides Piper.
“What’s up Nat?” I sit down at her desk and look over Natalie’s perfect appearance despite being in court this morning.
“Well for starters I’m going to have you interview the next receptionist we hire around here.” She points her fountain pen at the door smiling.
I roll my eyes.
“That would be nice.”
“I’m sure Joelle will learn rather quickly to keep her opinions to herself.”
“She tattled didn’t she?” I groan with my hand gripping the door handle.
Natalie smiles, “I don’t care about the personal calls, but I am worried about you.” Natalie eyes me with a look that says she knows what’s going on.
I’ve tried so hard to be independent since my divorce. I had to be for Maisy despite how hard things got. And they got real hard.
“Hey, I’m here for you, Diana, you know that right? I’m not just your boss, I’m your friend.”
“I know. I appreciate that.”
Natalie leans back in her chair, “So tell me what’s going on.”
“Allen called.”
“I figured. What does he want? We can probably milk him for not paying child support and short changing you on the house.”
A chuckle escapes my lips because I know Natalie will fight for me. She’s amazing like that.
I look out the window that has a stellar view. We may not be on the top floor but the wide expanse of windows highlight the harbor. Sighing, I tell her, “I want him to go away.”
“Has he threatened you again?”
I debate lying, but Natalie will know. “No more than usual.”