She, the Kingdom (She #1)(38)

“Oh! Oh, no. You don’t have to. Just pop it in the mail.”

“Okay,” I said, deflated. We hung up, and instantly I felt silly. The grocery store was six blocks from the attorney’s office. It wasn’t quite time for lunch, yet, so surely…

I pulled into the parking lot, instantly feeling sick. There, in the same spot, was Sophie’s G-Wagon. I parked with my trunk facing her vehicle this time, nervous she would see me. Something felt off, as if I weren’t supposed to be there, or maybe Sophie wasn’t. I sat in my Lexus for a good half hour before Sophie finally came out, again with her man-friend. I wondered if that was why Annie didn’t want me to come earlier—because Sophie was there. Before I could talk myself out of it, I scrambled out of the Lexus, trying not to look like I was rushing across the parking lot to Sophie’s G-Wagon.

Sophie stopped in her tracks, pushing the man away as I approached. “Morgan. How odd to see you here.”

“Why is that?” I asked, raking my hair away from my face.

Sophie traded glances with her friend, and I waited.

“This is… this is Landry, an old friend of ours. Max and I went to college with him.”

Landry held out his huge hand, waiting for me to take it.

I made a fist with my right hand and coughed into it. “I’ve had this tickle in the back of my throat all day. I’d better not.”

Landry drew his hand back.

“Do you work here?” I asked.

Landry frowned, confused by my question.

“Here?” Sophie asked, her voice going up an octave. A nervous giggle tumbled from her throat. “No. We were visiting a friend, waiting on Max to get off work.”

“Oh, Geneva? I didn’t realize you went to college with her.”

Sophie paused, unhappy about my questions. “Yes, well… feel better, Morgan. As always, good to see you.”

I waved, coughing into my hand once more for good measure.

Sophie didn’t put her hands on Landry like she had before, instead backing out while making a phone call.

I turned on my heels and headed for the door, yanking it open and standing in front of Annie’s desk. Her back was turned to me as she dug in a file, talking quietly into the phone. She seemed to be looking feverishly for something.

On her desk was a file titled Kingston v. Kingston, and I held in a gasp just as Annie turned with wide-eyes, realizing what I’d seen. She snatched the folder from her desk and filed it away, saying goodbye to the person on the other end of the line.

“What was that?” I asked.

Annie shook her head. “It’s not what you think, Morgan. You weren’t supposed to see that, and it’s easy to get the wrong idea when—”

“Were those divorce papers? Is Sophie filing for divorce?” I asked.

Annie looked desperate. “You know I can’t talk about it. Please don’t tell them you saw anything. I could lose my job.”

I sighed. “I won’t say anything. Here’s the check. Paid in full, right?”

“Yes,” Annie said. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I missed that entry.”

“Mail me a detailed invoice, please.”

Annie nodded.

I leaned over the counter, keeping my voice low. “I won’t say anything if you tell me what that file is about.”

Annie looked pained, and then glanced down the hall. “I’m not exactly sure, but I heard them discussing a post-nup.”

“So not divorce papers?” I asked. She sank back into her seat. “Who is the guy with her?”

“I think he’s a private detective, but they’re awfully friendly.”

“Like old friends friendly?”

She shook her head. “That’s all I can say, Morgan, please.”

I backed out, pushing the door open with my backside. Annie watched me with an appreciative smile, knowing I would keep my word. Annie was a single mom, too. I wouldn’t do anything that could get her fired, but I had to find a way to warn Max.

I pulled into the drive, and piled five to ten handles of plastic sacks onto my arms. I hated making more trips than I had to. I wadded the sacks and put them away in the bottom drawer. It occurred to me that I could buy real trash bags if I wanted—ones that smelled like lavender or a summer breeze—but I was so used to getting the most out of every dollar I spent, I couldn’t imagine splurging. Not yet. I wasn’t sure if Max and Sophie getting a divorce would mean job security or I would be left without a job all together. Max could move, or, a single man, find someone more exotic he’d rather fall asleep with.

The doorbell rang, and I leaned over to see my driveway through the dining room windows. Max’s car was in the drive.

“Come in!” I called, trying to get the frozen food in the freezer before it thawed. My stomach felt sick. I had to tell him about Sophie, but I wasn’t prepared. I had to come up with a story about how I found out so Annie wouldn’t get fired.

The door swept open, and Max came in, holding one hand behind him.

My eyes frowned, but my mouth smiled. “What have you got there?”

Max pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind him and held them out to me, a ridiculous grin on his face. “Happy birthday, Morgan.”

“How did you know?” I asked, taking the enormous bouquet of orange, purple, pink, and red flowers.