Finally, at the end of the night and after everything was closed up, she called Kayla to pick her up, but her girlfriend never answered her cell. That forced Mackenzie to take a seat on the bus stop bench.
Déjà vu?
She tried Kayla’s number numerous times but got nothing. Everyone else left for the night. Most of the employees pulled out of the parking lot thirty minutes ago, including her manager.
Mackenzie felt tears sting her eyes but refused to allow them to fall. How had she gotten to this soul-crushing point in her life? Seated on a bench in the early morning hours, no car, no ride home, no saved money, no husband. How pathetic.
She remained glued to the bench. If she had to sit all night, she would. Never again would she attempt to walk home alone.
Lost in her own form of misery, she was frightened beyond comprehension by a hand placed on her shoulder. She screamed bloody murder until she processed Smith stood behind her.
“Sorry.” Though she swore he was trying to hold back a laugh.
“You scared me.”
“Do you need a ride home?” he asked, his voice soft.
She nodded, holding her hand to her chest. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, rebuking her apology, and held out his hand. She slipped her small hand into his large palm and followed him to his luxury sedan. He opened the passenger door for her and helped her inside. When he climbed into the driver’s seat, he turned on the heat and down the radio.
“Do you know where I live?” she asked, her heart still pounding through her chest.
He nodded.
She didn't question that, assuming Derk mentioned her address.
Five silent minutes later they pulled up in front of her apartment. He gallantly walked her to her door.
“Thank you,” she said, pulling out her keys and shoving them into the lock. In most instances, Smith's silent behavior might cause most to squirm uncomfortably. But not her. She found his demeanor unthreatening and oddly enough, soothing. He gave off an air of security. "Tell Derk I said thank you for sending you to pick me up."
“Mackenzie,” he said. "Derk didn't send me. I happened to be out and saw you."
"Oh," she said feeling disappointed.
He smiled, showing off a set of perfect white porcelains. His features turned light, his jaw squared, and his chiseled cheek bones transformed into model material. Really he should be gracing the cover of GQ magazine. Whereas Derk was more good-looking-bad-boy, the kind mothers warn girls about, Smith was a take-home-to-meet-your-parents material and want-to-reproduce-with to pass down those genes.
"Make sure to lock up your apartment as soon as I leave," he quietly asserted. His tone direct and firm.
"Thanks," she said appreciatively.
He nodded, turned, and quietly left, like a panther slipping into the night. She watched him, mesmerized by his fluid movements. Finally, Mackenzie went into her apartment, thankful, for whatever reason, Smith stalked the night.
***
Papers spread out over the oak coffee table, Mackenzie looked at the court documents that confirmed her first marriage a failure. Legally, she could resume her maiden name and try to pretend those few years never happened. But they had, and they left a definable mark upon her. Thank God she didn’t have children with the bastard to drag through the awful mess. She wished she could even say she learned some life lessons with her sham of a union , but the only advice she could give another woman was watch where your hubby sticks his dick.
Sighing, she slumped back into the sofa with the papers that spelled out what she was to walk away with. Nothing. The only bright spot about the divorce agreement was that since she brought not one material object to the marriage, she didn’t assume any debt incurred from it either. Thankfully, the judge must have pitied her. That ruling hadn’t set well with her ex, but it was either that or he split everything evenly. He made it very clear that was not going to happen.
“Hey,” Kayla interrupted her mind-numbing hatred for her former spouse. Her gorgeous roommate, dressed in simple yoga pants and tight baby-tee, leaned against the doorframe. “I’m sorry about falling asleep last night. I forgot to take my phone off silent after work.”
Mackenzie shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I forget to do that all the time. I got a ride.”
“Are you okay?”
Shaking her head, she said, “I just don’t understand, Kay. What does it take? Where did I go wrong? What did I do wrong?”
“Do you want my honest opinion?” Kayla asked and sat down beside her.
Mackenzie nodded.
“Are you sure?” Kayla warned.
Biting her lip, she nodded again. What could her girlfriend possibly say that required a warning?