Page 45 of Convincing Carrie
“Georgia is a one-party consent state for audio recordings.” I quickly texted it to Bryce. “Security will escort you out. I don’t want to see you anywhere near this building in the future. Bryce will be getting your keycard credentials back from you at the close of your legal meeting.”
“What are you doing? Youloveme! You can’t do this to me.”
“Think of all you’ve done to me.” I paused to let it sink in. Her face flushed, but she didn’t apologize. “The last time I ever want to see you is at the launch party day after tomorrow. Then we’re done.”
“You can’t mean that.”
I went to the wall and pressed the intercom button that connected me to Lisa. “Lisa, could you please get security up here to escort Ms. Welles to her meeting?”
“No problem, Thatcher.”
“But I left some things in my dressing room…”
“We’ll have it packed up and brought to the launch party, mailed to the address you listed in your new hire paperwork, or burned. Whichever is easiest.” I looked at the clock. “Security will be here in roughly two minutes. You might want to get dressed.”
“Damn you, Thatcher!” She scurried around and hurriedly got dressed right before security came in.
“Here she is gentlemen.”
“This is totally unnecessary. I was going to leave on my own.”
They each took her gently by the arm and walked her from my office.
“Good riddance,” I said to myself, sinking into my desk chair and sipping my morning coffee. I’d really dodged a bullet. I couldn’t believe I’d been so wrong about her for so many years.
Now If I could get my wife to talk to me again, things would be looking up.
I smiled as I leaned back and turned my chair to get a better view of the Atlanta skyline. I was lucky I’d married someone as easy going as Carrie. It would probably take a few dinners, flower deliveries, and maybe a few nice pieces of jewelry, but I was sure she’d forgive me for missing the Orchid Ball. Maybe I’d even take her to Rome or Paris for a week sometime soon.
Yes, she’d forgive me. A thought occurred to me, and my mood darkened. The smile fell from my face, and I sat up straighter in my chair. I just had to hope that she didn’t find out about how far the affair went. I scrubbed a hand over my face thinking of all the times I’d given time to Madison that should have been Carrie’s. Carrie knew about at least some of that. Maybe, with counseling, she’d get past it. I just never wanted her to know that rest. Hell, I wished I could forget kissing Madison that night I’d almost betrayed my wife completely.
And I had decided I never wanted Carrie to know.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Thatcher
The days continued to pass with no word from Carrie. I’d gone by her parents’ house, but her car wasn’t there. I was starting to get desperate. No calls, no texts, nothing. I wasn’t sure what to do. It was hard to believe she wasthismad at me for missing the Orchid Ball. I was starting to get nervous that she’d figured out the full extent of the affair. Or either the months of me coming home late, combined with finding out about Madison, and me missing the ball had proven too much for her. What if she didn’t forgive me?
I arrived at my mother’s house for the launch party without Carrie. I waved for the photographers and news media who’d been invited as I walked inside. I immediately wished I hadn’t.
“Where’s your wife, Thatcher?”
“Thatcher, is there any truth to the rumors you’re dating Madison Welles?”
“Has your wife filed for divorce?”
“Why do you look so awful?”
I hurried inside, disturbed. How did they know about Madison? And did I really lookthatbad?
Everyone was in the grand ballroom, as Mom called it, having drinks and appetizers while they waited for Madison to show up.
It had been a few sleepless nights without Carrie. I felt like a zombie as I walked in, and it seemed that I looked like one, too.
“Jesus,” Bryce said, eyebrows raised and glass of whiskey in his hand, “you look like shit.”
Celia turned to defend me, then made a horrified face. “My God, you really do. What the hell has happened to you?”
