Chapter 31

Bob didn’t know when to give up. I always hated that about him. That didn’t change with the divorce.

Even after I refused to see him, he kept calling me and trying to change my mind. The texts were more annoying than the phone calls. Somehow, he got even more desperate in writing.

I thought about blocking his number. In hindsight, I should have. After all, what use did I have for staying in contact with him after the divorce settlement, other than to ensure that the house got sold?

Something inside me couldn’t do it, though. Something too polite or too sentimental couldn’t burn that bridge, despite everything Bob and his family had done to me. And I wanted so badly to beat that side of me into line with the rest of me.

Instead, I finally took another of his calls.

“What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand?” I all but yelled at him.

“Please, Anna, just hear me out,” he said in the most pathetic tone I had ever heard from him. “My mom thinks it would be a good idea for you to do an Outer U commercial, and I agree.”

I sighed. “Is that really what this is all about? Some stupid commercial?”

He hesitated, if for only a moment. “Yes, that’s all. Can we please meet in person?”

“You’re not going to stop calling until we do, are you?”

“Not unless you block me.”

“Trust me, I’m tempted.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

His voice carried in it a challenge, but I didn’t feel like unloading my psychological burden on the man who had caused most of it.

“I don’t have to justify anything to you.”

“So, are we going to meet or not?”

This time, I hesitated. Everything inside me screamed at me not to meet with him. My mind, however, only wanted a quick and relatively painless way out of this.

“Fine.”

“Great. Let’s have lunch tomorrow—”

“In a public place that I choose. If I sense anything suspicious, I’m out of there,” I said sternly.

There was a pause. “Of course. You’re the boss.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

•* *

I arrived at the café promptly at one o’clock. I would give Bob exactly one hour. No more, no less—especially no more.

Bob was already there, sitting at one of the café’s outdoor tables. As soon as he spotted me, he waved me over. He stood up as I neared and tried to give me a hug, but I grabbed his hand and shook it instead.

“Anna, it’s so good to see you,” Bob said with a cheerfulness that I could tell was false.

“Hi, Bob,” I replied, taking my seat. “So, what’s this about a commercial for Outer U?”

“What’s the rush?” Bob sat down. “Let’s catch up.”

“I’d rather not.” I looked around. “Where’s the waiter?”

“Oh, don’t worry. I already ordered for both of us. Club sandwich and soda for me, salad and water for you.”

My nose crinkled in disgust. I used to hate when Bob would order for me at restaurants. He’d always order me the cheapest option possible.

“I would’ve preferred a sandwich, actually,” I said bitterly.

Bob seemed taken aback.

“Oh, sorry. I just thought that, with your new fitness routine and all, that you’d want something to help you keep up that hot bod—”

“I can decide for myself what will help me ‘keep up my hot bod’ and what won’t, thank you very much.”

Bob cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.

I let uncomfortable silence settle between us for a couple minutes as my temper cooled. Finally, I sighed and spoke again.

“Now, what is so special about this Outer U commercial that I just had to see you in person instead of discussing it over the phone?”

“Well, for one, you weren’t really answering your phone—”

“Once I did answer my phone, Bob.”

Bob grinned and rubbed the back of his head in well-practiced mock-sheepishness.

“Actually, I didn’t really ask you out here to talk about any commercial…”

“That’s it. I’m out of here.”

I started to stand up when Bob grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the table. Anger rushed through me.

“Come on, Anna, sit down. Talk a bit.”

“Bob, let go of my hand. Now,” I said with as much force as I could manage. “I will scream.”

Bob glanced around before releasing my hand.

“Please, Anna. I just want to catch up.”

He stared me straight in the eyes.

“Is it so bad or unusual for me to want to know how my ex-wife is doing?”

I sighed and sat back down.

“I’m sorry, but after you pretty much threw me aside for another woman at a party I was hosting for you, I have my doubts.”

“And I’m sorry about that.” He reached across the table for me, but I retracted both my hands. “I’ve been thinking…can’t we just start over?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Really, you want to start over?”

“Of course. I don’t think our marriage really had a fair chance, so I’d like to try again.”

I snort-laughed.

“It’s kind of hard for a relationship to have a fair chance when one side is cheating.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t do it any favors.”

I stiffened at this. My eyes narrowed at Bob.

“What do you mean—”

Just then, the waiter came with our orders.

“A club sandwich and soda for the gentleman—” he placed Bob’s food in front of him— “and a salad and water for the lady.” He set my plate and glass before me. “If there’s anything else, let me know.”

I waited until our waiter left before continuing.

“What do you mean, I didn’t help do it any favors?”

Bob shrugged and took a bite of his sandwich.

“I mean that your affair with Barnett—”

“What affair?”

Bob snorted, causing bits of sandwich to fly out of his mouth.

“I follow the tabloids. And it’s clear that you two have been having a thing for quite some time.”

I gripped so tightly at the edge of the table that my knuckles turned white.

“I never cheated on you. Do not dare project your sins onto me—”

He laughed.

“My ‘sins’? Give me a break.”

He put down his sandwich and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

“You’re no saint, Anna. The paparazzi sure knows it. How else would you explain your sudden success?”

I glared at him.

“Don’t believe everything you read online, Bob. Some of us work hard for what we get in life.”

Bob’s expression appeared to soften, but in his eyes, I could still see a coldness.

“Of course you have. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

Before I could register what was happening, Bob leaned over the table and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss repulsed me. The taste of his club sandwich lingered on his chapped lips, and my breakfast—and what little of my lunch I had managed to eat—threatened to leave my stomach.

I shoved him away. He stumbled backwards and fell into his chair as I cleaned my mouth out with my water.

“What is wrong with you?” I shrieked.

Everyone at the café turned to watch us. Good. I wanted witnesses to know how much I did not want this.

“I’m just trying to get my wife back—”

“No, no. I am not your wife, and I never will be again.”

As I stood up, Bob grabbed me and kissed me again. I couldn’t reach the pepper spray in my purse, so I just whacked him with my purse until he released me instead.

“How dare you touch me—twice—without my permission!” I hissed to him. “I will never, ever do a commercial for your family’s trashy, overpriced, second-rate makeup, do you hear me?”

Bob smirked.

“I hear you. Don’t worry, I have everything I need.”

As I walked from the café, the reflection of a light caught my eye. I turned around to see a man with a camera standing directly across the street from the café. Immediately, I recognized him as one of the reporters who had harassed me the first day I had met Julia.

Then I saw Bob cross the street to him and exchange a few words. I suddenly had a sinking feeling in my stomach.