The Love We Missed Chapter 02

The Love We Missed Chapter 02

My mouth stayed open, but nothing came out.

My phone buzzed hard in my jacket pocket.

Three texts from Vivian, asking if I was on my way and confirming she already had our tickets.

I promised her tonight. Now that Claire had agreed, there was no reason to drag this meal out.

I put my fork down. “What do you want, then? Tell me, and we’ll settle it.”

Claire snapped the to-go box shut and set her cutlery aside.

“Put the condo in a trust for Mia. Sell the main house, pay off the mortgage, and split whatever is left. Keep your car, divide the savings, and we sign tomorrow.”

I ran the numbers. It was clean.

Actually, it was far more generous than I had expected.

“Fine. Tomorrow morning at nine, outside the courthouse.”

I stood up, paused, and forced out a nod. “Claire… thanks. For all of it.”

She didn’t answer.

At the register, I glanced back once.

Claire was still sitting alone under the overhead light, her fingers clenched around a water glass. Her shoulders shook slightly, but she didn’t turn around.

I walked out the door.

She wasn’t my problem anymore. Just walking to my car, I felt ten pounds lighter.

Vivian was waiting outside the theater doors, clutching her purse.

“What took so long?” She pouted, lightly tapping my chest with her fist.

I pulled her straight into my arms. “Vivi, it’s done.”

She froze for a beat, then pushed back with wide eyes. “She signed off?”

“She agreed,” I said, unable to hide the grin on my face.

“I knew it!” She wrapped both arms around my neck and pulled me down. “You did it, babe. You’re finally mine.”

I held her against me.

For a second, the image of Claire sitting alone at that table flashed in my mind.

Then it disappeared.

Vivian took my hand and led me inside. We booked the private lounge upstairs with plush couple loungers.

Ten minutes into the previews, she leaned against my shoulder, tracing the lines of my palm.

Her hands smelled faintly of almond lotion as she slowly worked her fingers through mine.

The mood shifted quickly after that.

Her breath was warm against my neck, and her hair brushed my collar.

Against the blaring audio of a movie neither of us cared about, things got completely out of hand.

Afterward, she rested against my arm, lazily tracing the edge of my thumb.

“I’m going to spoil you every single day,” she whispered.

Claire’s silhouette was completely gone from my head.

I buried my face into Vivian’s neck.

“Whatever you want, Vivi,” I murmured. “You’re all that matters.”