Chapter 128

• Haven sat on the worn leather couch in his loft, tapping his fingers on the armrest. The swoon scent of pine cleaner waited from his half-hearted endeavor at cleaning up. His heart beat. Alexis had agreed to meet him, and for the first time since the divorce papers were finalized, they were getting to talk. True talk. No lawyers, no intervention, no e-mail strings filled with passive-aggressive comments. Just the two of them. When the knock came, he solidified. He told himself to remain calm, but his hands were as of now shaky. He opened the door to discover Alexis standing there, wearing a cream-colored trench coat, her dull hair pulled into a tight bun. She looked as excellent as ever, but there was a pressure in her posture, arms crossed, eyes watched.
• "Hello," she said, her voice small as well indeed.
• "Hello," he reacted, venturing aside to let her in. "You look... great."