Free NaughtyBoys Galley by Lizzie Lynn Lee

wife.”
    “Newsflash, buddy. She’s not your wife anymore,” said Jamie sharply. He looked like he was after Sam’s blood.
    “Until I sign this paper, she is.” My ex didn’t seem intimidated.
    “Fine.” I quickly put an end on the pissing contest. “Let’s talk.” I pointed at the rattan tête-à-tête furniture on the veranda. “Make it quick.”
    “I was thinking we should discuss this over dinner. Maybe at Massie’s? I’ve been driving for ten hours straight; I had no chance to eat. I’m starving.”
    “Not her freaking problem,” said Jamie hotly. He could be hotheaded at times.
    I touched Jamie’s arm. “It’s okay. I can handle this.”
    Nate and Jamie didn’t look happy at all, but they respected my wishes.
    “Fine, we’ll go to Massie’s. Let’s get this thing over with,” I said to Sam. “I’ll get my purse and my keys.”
    “No. Just use my car.” Nate fished out his keys from his pocket. “Make it brief. If you don’t get back by nine, we’ll come to get you.” He said that to me, but the message was for Sam.
    I took the keys from Nate’s hand. “All right.”
    We drove to Massie’s Diner in separate cars. I sure as hell didn’t want to be in the same car as Sam. My ex had driven to Bellwood in a flashy Porsche that attracted everyone’s attention when he parked near the diner’s entrance.
    We chose the farthest table from everyone else. Sam ordered chicken fried steak and a glass of iced tea. I didn’t want anything. I kept my silence as he demolished his dinner. I couldn’t wait to get this over with. Plus, everyone in the diner was secretly rubbernecking at us.
    Finally, Sam finished his food. He gulped down his iced tea with gusto before he was ready to talk. I knew this habit a little too well. Sam treated all “talk” between us like he was negotiating his business. I knew he was planning some “spin” behind this discussion. I just didn’t know what—yet.
    Sam wiped his hands with the napkin. “Simone,” he began, “I think we should reconcile.”
    This caught me off-guard. I thought he’d demand my kidney or a limb if I wanted to see that divorce paper signed. “Huh?”
    “I’ll cut to the chase. Arianne and I have broken up.”
    “Huh?” My mind was still boggled by his revelation.
    “I found out that Arianne was only after my money. I’m sorry for what I did to you. I mistreated you terribly. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Please, take me back.”
    For a long moment, I was speechless. “Sam, you hurt me.”
    “I know, baby. That’s why I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. If you take me back, I promise I’ll be different. I’m a changed man, you see? I’ve been in counseling for my sex addiction. I even enrolled in an anger management class. I’m doing everything I can to be a better man—a better husband for you. You’re right. You’re always right about my affairs. I was wrong. I should have listened to you.”
    I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.
    “What do you say that we end this silly divorce thing? Look, how about we take a romantic trip to Italy? You’ve always wanted to see Venice and Rome, right? Maybe we’ll buy a villa in Tuscany as our vacation home. I promise this time I’ll spend more time with you. I’ll take extra vacation time from the firm.” Sam fumbled with his jacket and presented me with a bribe—a big diamond rock set in platinum. “This is a token of my apology. One of the kind. Heart diamond. Helzegger picked this personally for me. He said a heart diamond this size was rare. It’s over nine carats and set me back a cool nine hundred grand.”
    One thing I hated about Sam was that he always put a price tag on every present he gave me. He seemed to expect me to drop to my knees and thank him profusely because he gave me expensive things.
    The pain in my heart that was slowly healing tore open. I cast him a look of disgust. “Sam, you’ve hurt me in a way that you couldn’t