The Gallery (Contemporary Reverse Harem 4)

“It’s because you have the money, Devon. Plain and simple. It’s not because they like you better. They like your money better.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that…look, you’re going to have to get a real job. No more fun at the gallery.”

He did not just say that, did he?

“Devon, we were married three years. We were in love. At least, I loved you. And now this. I don’t understand it. The courts are going to demand that you pay me, so why don’t you start now?”

“There! I knew you were a gold digger,” he said. “And the limo is going away. You’re going to have to start taking the subway. Or even driving. Get a car.” This made him cackle.

And he knew that one particular threat would hurt me like no other.

“Devon, I can’t believe you would bring that up…”

“Oh, really? Well, let me tell you something. You haven’t gotten behind the wheel of a car since your sister—”

A buzzing sounded in my ears, increasing in volume. It was accompanied by white dots in front of my eyes.

“—but I think it’s high time you got over that and started driving again.”

I’d never heard his voice so cruel.

Oh, god. He hit the one spot in my heart that crippled me. My hand shook so violently that when I went to swipe my phone closed, it flipped out of my hand and skittered across the desk and onto the floor.

The buzzing and white lights exploded in my head, and I grabbed my office trashcan just in time to be sick. My shoulders shook from convulsions, following by a heaving in my chest. The sobs came again, and this time, it seemed like they’d never stop.

I lifted my head toward a rattling at the gallery’s front door and pushed myself up from my chair. I lumbered across the room like I’d been run over by a truck.

“Av, let me in!” Blu’s muffled voice shouted.

I unlocked the door, and he slipped inside, locking it behind himself.

“Baby, I’m so glad you called me.” He grabbed my arms and led me back to the office.

I was no longer crying, but I couldn’t stop shaking.

“Are you cold, sweetie? Here, put this shawl around your shoulders. I’m gonna make some tea. You want some tea?”

“Yeah.”

“So what happened?” he asked, after he’d put the kettle on.

Thank god for gay boyfriends. I already felt tons better just having him there. And his turquoise bow tie was just perfect with his red hair.

“Well, it was the first time we’d spoken since he left. He brought up my sister, just to be mean. Threw it all right in my face.”

“Oh, that bastard! I’m so sorry.” He was one of the few who knew the story of Lisette.

I sipped my tea.

“I know. It just threw me for a loop. Especially the way he said it. It was so vicious. Actually, beyond vicious. I had no idea I was married to such a brutal man. God, I feel so stupid.”

“You know, sweetie, people surprise me every day.” Blu waved a hand in the air. “That’s all I can say. Now, how ‘bout we get you up and get a little dinner in your belly?”

“Thank god I have you, Blu.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m sure I’ll be crying on your shoulder one of these days, myself.” He bundled me into my light Fall coat, and we walked under the streetlights to the little Italian joint on the corner.

Three glasses of wine and a giant plate of pasta later, and I was feeling much better. What a fool I’d been, avoiding carbs all that time.