I hated sharing the time I had with Addie with anyone, but Chantal wasn’t all that bad, and watching my girl be happy, made me happy. Not that I would tell her.
“Mr. Evans,” Addie said as she found me leaning up against a wall, waiting for the both of them to emerge from the boutique Chantal wanted to explore.
“Yes, Mrs. Evans?” I said low in my chest as I watched her stunning hazel eyes drinking me in.
“Sorry about Chantal. I didn’t know you were going to come out with us today,” Addie said softly as she caressed my arms that were folded up tightly against my chest, but the moment she touched me, they eased up and I couldn’t not touch her. I reached for her by the waist and pulled her in, letting my forehead rest on hers.
“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re having fun with your friend,” I murmured as I closed my eyes, allowing her to take me to places I never wanted to go without her.
“I am happy, but I’d rather be with you now,” she muttered.
“Addie, we’ll have our entire lives. Trust me, I’ll be there even when it annoys you. It’s my job as your husband. So I'm told,” I mocked.
“If you plan to be an asshole, I plan to be the bitch,” she remarked with a smirk.
“It wouldn’t be us if we weren’t,” I retorted.
“True,” she said as she pulled away, reached up and kissed me softly on my lips.
“Don’t tempt me woman,” I growled quietly against her lips.
“But I'm so good at it.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Allô les amoureux,” Chantal called out as she stepped out of the boutique with bags in her hand.
“I think she is talking to us,” I said, frustrated she was here with us.
“I think so too.” Addie gave me a reassuring smile. Damn this girl was going to make it up to me later.
The three of us spent the time taking in the West End’s amazing sights, with its high-end boutiques and old-world charm. She loved being lost in this world around us. I watched as she marveled at all she saw in front of her. Chantal and I both stayed behind, letting her enjoy it all.
“She loves you,” Chantal said unexpectedly. She’d hardly spoken to me as the three of us spent the afternoon together.
“I know.”
“She told me what had happened.” That statement made me stop dead in my tracks.
“She told me because she thought she was crazy to not care as much as she should have; about your lies that is. That any normal girl would stay away from you, but I told her to follow her heart, and that in a few years’ time, what had happened won’t matter anymore. That you both will build anew.” Chantal looked at me smiling sweetly. “I might not fully know everything, but I know enough to know she wouldn’t be here with me if it wasn’t for you. Merci,” Chantal said as we continued our walk, trying to catch up to Addie.
“She’s a fighter. She would have done just fine without me,” I admitted. “The truth is I need her more than she needs me.”
“This may be true, but she and you are here now,” Chantal noted. “Addie,” she cried out. “Mon Dieu. Arrête.” Chantal left me there as she ran after Addie.
Chantal was right. No matter what, I had Addie fully and completely, and it scared the living shit out of me. No more bullshitting, no more fucking around. This girl took a leap of faith and believed in me, in us, and what we could be together. My Addie was always the fighter. She fought for her feelings, for me and for us, and I loved her even more for it. I stood back watching Addie laughing openly and happily, something I never thought I’d see.
“Daimon,” she cried out. “Come on, Mr. Evans.” She waved for me to join her.
Before I could take one step closer, my phone rang. It was my lawyers. Addie stopped and watched me as I answered my phone. I could tell she was disappointed. Fuck! I hated seeing her face change.
“Yes,” I growled.
“Mr. Evans, the court date is for tomorrow. I suggest we meet before then,” The lawyer said over the phone.
“We already met today. What more do we need to discuss?” I said through gritted teeth as I watched Addie approach me.
“Hugh refuses to listen to his own lawyers. I suggest we meet to discuss further on what to do,” my lawyer pressed on.
“What more can we do?” I bit out.
“He’s now suing for mental distress brought on by his wrongful dismissal.”
“Son of bitch, how much more does the fucker want now?” I hissed.
“One hundred million.” I stood mute. Piece of shit.
“Once I win, you will go after him and everything he owns. Understood?” I shouted through the phone.