Christopher found the whole thing amusing. “You two, my wife and my best friend, why do you bicker like this the moment you’re together?”
Rosalind shrugged.“No idea. Maybe he’s jealous.”
Christopher pulled her close, his arm possessively around her waist.“Don’t tease. He has his heart set on someone?
Rosalind added, “A married woman.”
Christopher sighed wistfully.“True. But the divorce is almost final. After all these years waiting, I hope it works out
for him.”
Rosalind had little interest in Eugene’s romantic story.
It sounded like a modern tale of a homewrecker.
She turned back to Christopher.“Was that a call from the office? Something urgent came up?”
Christopher’s expression turned apologetic. “Yes. An emergency only I can handle. Might be pulling an all–nighter. Rosa, don’t wait up.”
“An all–nighter? More like answering his mistress’s summons,” Rosalind thought coldly.
She nodded.“Go ahead. I’m tired anyway.”
As she turned towards the bedroom, Christopher caught her arm, pulling her back. He tilted her chin, aiming for a
kiss.
Rosalind jerked her head away. His lips brushed her jawline.
Christopher frowned slightly.“What? Too shy for a proper goodbye kiss with your husband?”
Rosalind pushed firmly against his chest, freeing herself.“You said it was urgent. Go.”
Christopher chuckled low in his throat.“Because Eugene’s watching? Don’t worry about him. Known him for over twenty years. He’s family.”
“Just go!” Rosalind urged.
His phone rang again.
“Latoya is getting impatient, no doubt,” she thought.
He smiled, ruffling her hair. “Alright, I’m off. Be good. Rain’s forecast tonight. Close the windows before bed. I’ll be back first thing.”
With that, Christopher was gone.
Only Rosalind and Eugene remained in the house.
She looked up at him.“Your buddy’s gone. Aren’t you leaving?”
Eugene crossed his arms, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. “He just left? Doesn’t worry about leaving a man and a woman alone together? Things could happen.”
19:52
11.6%
Chapter 13.
Rosalind rolled her eyes. “You have your married crush you’ve pined over for years. Surely you’re not that desperate?”
Eugene’s lips curved. “Can’t say for sure.”
“Any other business tonight, Mr. Benitez?”
“No. Why?”
“Since you’re free, perhaps we could finalize the terms for the power of attorney and the settlement agreement?”
Eugene nodded. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
Rosalind wasn’t a lawyer. She’d downloaded templates for both documents online.
She pulled them up and showed them to Eugene.
“What do you think?”
Eugene shook his head.“Formatting’s all wrong.”
“Care to demonstrate your professional expertise then?”
Eugene took over her laptop. Within minutes, a properly formatted power of attorney document filled the screen.
“Print this. Get him to sign it. Two copies. Keep one, mail the other to me.”
Rosalind switched to business mode. “Understood. I’ll get his signature ASAP.”
“Now, the settlement agreement,” Eugene continued. “No children, so custody’s irrelevant. The key is the division
of marital assets.”
Rosalind stated clearly, “I’ve researched this. Marital assets are typically split fifty–fifty. But given his infidelity makes him the at–fault party, I propose a sixty–forty split. Sixty for me.”
< Chapter 14.
