“Disney World.”
Lucy
“WE’RE READY FOR BOTH JACKSON Wills and Margret Hollings,” Jane reassures.
It’s trivial, I know, but Jane insinuating we’re a team eases my tension as I sit across from her worrying and biting my bottom lip. Tears fill my eyes, but not from sadness. Only relief.
Michael was right. Jane Gilroy really is a dog with a bone. She’s livid on my behalf and, from what she’s told me, she has enough dirt on Margret that if she takes this meeting further, she’ll happily bury her lawyer in paperwork until Dillon reaches the age of eighteen. In the midst of all that’s happened around me the last few days, it’s a welcome reprieve.
Although all of this has stressed me to the point I haven’t slept, it’s not the only matter weighing heavily on my mind.
When I left Michael’s apartment, I took a taxi to my place, then sat alone in my living room and cried. I don’t remember that many tears since the day I was told Gabe was never coming back.
I can’t let you walk away.
Michael’s voice, pleading for me to stay as his body took mine in a rush of frustration, left me empty.
Your sadness is suffocating me.
I can’t breathe.
The pain laced within his tone made me weak.
I already miss him.
I’m not sure how long I sat on the couch before finally standing up, brushing the tears away, and vowing to focus on what matters – Dillon.
Over the last few days, Dillon hasn’t brought up Michael or his absence. My son adored him, as did I. Watching him tiptoe around the subject only reminded me that if I bring a man into my life and it doesn’t work out, it only hurts him, too.
“We’ll be meeting at their office. Until then, do your best not to worry.” I faintly nod in understanding, and she smiles. “I know this is hard, Lucy, but it’ll all be over soon. I promise.”
“Dillon,” I state. “Does he have to be there?”
Her small, reassuring smile widens. “No. They’ve requested him to be, but this meeting isn’t required by any court in this state. Jackson’s not an idiot. He only takes cases he can win, so I’m guessing he’ll take one look at you and tell Margret to find another lawyer if she chooses to move forward with this ridiculousness.”
Exhaling a heavy breath, I sit back in my chair. “I don’t want Michael or Corbin to know any more about this than they already do. I came here because you offered, and I’m going to pay you back every cent–”
“Lucy,” she says my name quickly, and I quiet. “My fee is covered.”
“What?”
“Michael.”
His name from her mouth irritates me.
“Michael’s not paying for this. I am.”
Her expression relaxes, if only a little. “I saw him yesterday.”
Guilt surges through me in epic waves knowing she didn’t see him after I left last night, but before I’d broken him completely.
“I must say he didn’t look any better than you, but he still insisted I bill him.”
“You won’t,” I stress. “Don’t.”
“Men like Michael are so few and far between. I have to wonder…” She pauses, waiting for me to interrupt her unsolicited advice. “Well, maybe I saw something that wasn’t there.” She brushes it off. “So be it. I’ll send you each an itemized list of fees, and whoever sends payment first, wins.”
So be it.
Michael
“Dear God, Michael. The woman’s been gone but two days, yet you’ve got your appointments all clumped together,” Lillie lectures on the state of my calendar. I just sit back in my desk chair and smile.
“We’re back to where we were two months ago, Lillie,” I observe. “It’s like you never left.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “Maybe so, but I’m not sticking around to train the new girl this time. I’ve got things to do in my old age, and I’m going to do them.”
“Did you book your cruise?”
I’m asking about small things, trivial details into someone else’s life. The more interest I pay to theirs, the less chance I have to remember mine.
After Lillie left my place last night, I did as I told her I would. I picked myself up and thought long and hard about what has happened in the short time I’ve known Lucy. I came to the conclusion it wasn’t Lillie’s advice I was going to heed.
It was Jane’s.
Eventually, maybe even without Lucy’s consent, she’s going to hear me out. If I have to tie the woman down, gagging her in the process, she’s going to listen. Before making any further rash decisions, such as quitting her only job and giving up her only car, she needs to know how I feel about her without the static of what I’ve done tainting it all.
“I did book my cruise.” Lillie smiles. “Thank you again. January is as good a time as any to get out of the city.”
“It is.” Pressing my luck with her further, I ask, “Have you seen Corbin this morning?”
Lillie grins as relief flashes through her eyes. “I have. He was in his office when I came in. His door is closed, so he’s probably hiding from you.”
She finishes the work on my laptop and spins it around for me to review. Tomorrow’s, not today’s, list of events takes up the open screen.
“Lucy’s meeting with Margret and Jackson is at two,” she explains, even though I’m looking at the appointment now. Lillie shrugs and walks to the door. “In case you didn’t have anything else going on, I thought you may like to know.”
“Right,” I throw out to her back as she walks away.
Turning around before leaving, she advises, “I’m going to send Corbin in here. You boys are going to talk, then you’re going to tell us what it is you intend to do to bring Lucy back here. I love you and Corbin, but I really haven’t missed being here as much as I thought I would.”
Bossy.
Little.
Liar.
Only a few minutes pass before the knock at my open door breaks my concentration.
“Lillie said you wanted to see me,” Corbin informs as he feigns confidence while approaching my desk. He then casually takes a seat in the chair on the other side of it. “If you plan to slug me, don’t make it a cheap shot. Give me that, at least.”
“I’m not going to hit you,” I return. “Not that I wouldn’t love to.”
Corbin raises his head to the ceiling—thanking the heavens or begging for patience, I’m not sure which.
“I’m less pissed now that I’ve had time to think.”
“Good,” he snaps. He adjusts in his chair, crossing his ankle over his knee as he gets comfortable. “Not that you thinking is ever good, but glad you’re less pissed.”
“Don’t push,” I clip. “I need a favor.”
His eyebrows lift in question as he sits forward, now bracing his elbows on his knees. “What’s that?”
“Tomorrow, Lucy is meeting with Margret and Jackson.”
“Yeah, Lillie told me.”
“I want to be there.”
The air leaves his chest, and I visibly see him gasp for breath. “I gather you already know she won’t welcome you with open arms.”
I smirk, not giving a shit if she welcomes me or not. I’ve come to care about Dillon almost as much as I’ve come to despise Margret Hollings Monroe.
“Don’t care. I want Margret to remember me. If she pushes anything past this meeting tomorrow, I want her to know it’s no longer about Dillon. It’s about me.”
“You’re doing it again.” He rolls his eyes.
Not appreciating his tone, I snap, “What?”
Pointing to me, he states loudly, “This! You’re keeping her again. Jesus, Michael.”
“I’m not.”
“You are,” he objects. “You’re making her business yours, and you’re doing it without her knowing.” Finally, he takes in a long breath. “Fine, whatever. I’ll let Jane know you’ll be loitering around as backup. I’m telling her not to tell Lucy.”
“Whatever you think is best.”
Corbin stands, shaking his head and giving me a half-smile. “Best. Right. Like you ever cared what I thought was best.”
“I care deeply,” I slide out sarcastically,
“This is crazy. You and Lucy deserve each other. You’re both nuts.”
“Corbin?”
He stops and turns to look at me. If anything, I note he looks a little flustered. Although our relationship isn’t his concern, he deserves to know that if everything works out as I hope it does, all of this will be worth it.
“Nuts or not, I love her.”
“I think I knew that,” he immediately replies. “I hope I knew that anyway.”
“She’s…” I try to put it into words, but I find it difficult to sum up all I’ve grown to love about her.
“She’s maddening.” He smirks. “If there are two people who deserve to come out of this happy, it’s you and her.”
“Thank you,” I sincerely return, knowing after all that’s happened, he and I will be okay.
“Now let me get out of here. I need a minute before I call Jane.”
When he turns around and starts heading toward the door, I listen to him mumble aloud. Words to describe us include crazy, ridiculous, and nuts.