Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
PRESLEY
Another meeting. Another meeting where nothing will get resolved but they’ll say they’re working on settling Dad’s estate.
I hate these days. Having to step into a pencil skirt and a stiff blouse, it takes everything I have to put on a mask to deal with Paul and my mother.
Flipping down the visor in my old beat-up truck, I check my makeup one last time. At least if I look good, that will be one less thing for my mother to nitpick.
It’s about as good as it’s going to get. After working at the diner this morning, I left early to come home and change before driving to the way too modern office for Pinecrest. Of course Dad would use them. The higher the price tag, the more interested he was.
Grabbing my purse, I push open the creaking door and head inside. Paul and my mother are waiting in the marble lobby.
It’s so stuffy. I get quick, disapproving glances from both of them, without any other conversation.
Just as well. I take a seat opposite them and wait.
And wait. And wait.
What the hell is the point of scheduling a meeting if you’re going to be late? I don’t want to be here a minute longer than I have to be.
“Mrs. King. Mr. Leith. Ms. King. We’re ready for you.”
A young woman with a slicked back bun and a black pantsuit clacks her way into the lobby to beckon us back to a conference room.
It’s even more gaudy than the lobby. Dark hardwood lines every surface in the room with awards hanging from the walls.
It’s pretentious.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Mr. Tartt greets us.
An older gentleman with wire-rimmed glasses and a thin mustache, he is not someone to mess with. His ego fills the entire room.
Someone my dad liked.
“I want to thank you all for coming today to discuss the estate of Mr. King. We do have some updates for you.”
“Are we any closer to closing this out?” I ask, not wanting to beat around the bush.
“Presley,” Paul snaps. “Show the man the respect he is due.”
Crossing my arms, I lean back in my chair, shaking my head. Why does Paul make me feel like such a teenager needing to be scolded?
We keep having these unnecessary meetings. Close, but not there yet. Still waiting on the value of whatever property my dad had.
Why do I have to take the day off work to come out here and deal with this?
“It’s okay, Mr. Leith. We are close, but not quite there.”
I sigh. Of course. I shouldn’t be surprised. At the rate this is going, it’s going to take the full two years in probate before everything gets resolved.
“Was the accountant I sent your way helpful?” Paul asks, leaning over the table.
Staring at my ex brings up too many emotions. This is the only time I’ve spent with him in the last year—in lawyers’ offices.
“As I explained to your assistant, Mr. Leith, we have our own in-house accountants. They are working with King Properties to ensure the value of all assets is recorded correctly.”
“Do you know how much longer this is going to take?” Mom asks.
“Mrs. King, it’s unknown how long this will take. Your husband’s company has a high value with several arms that need to be reviewed. We do not want to make any judgments based on information provided at the time of his will review two years ago.”
Paul scoffs. “Unbelievable.”
“What’s wrong, Paul?” I ask.
I shouldn’t egg him on, but I do.
He turns his ire to me. With slicked back brown hair and dark eyes, I don’t know why I ever found him attractive. Not when his personality is the same as a slimy snake.
“The company should be mine,” he hisses, stabbing a finger on the table. “Your father wanted me to have it.”
“But he didn’t,” I state calmly. “He left it to me.”
“Why do you want it so badly?” he asks. “You don’t want it. You hated your dad.”
“So that makes it okay for you to take everything from me?”
“You’re the one that’s taking everything from me, Presley. Grow up and be an adult about this.”
Fire blazes through me. “I am being an adult, Paul. I’m doing what’s best for me and my daughter.”
“Ms. King.” The attorney looks to me. “As we’ve discussed, you can sign over King Properties to Mr. Leith.”
“So he can take everything I have?”
“I want what I want, Presley. You know my terms,” he says again.
I hate this man. I don’t know how I ever tried to make things work with him. He wants the company and to leave me with nothing. But if I don’t give it to him? He’s going to try and get joint custody of Poppy, wanting to poison her against me.
I’m between a rock and a hard place. Because until everything gets cleared with my father’s estate, I’m in limbo. I’m working at the diner to make ends meet because even with the distributions from the company, it’s hard. And my soon-to-be ex isn’t doing anything to help.
“And I’m not doing anything until the estate is settled.”
“Presley, enough of this,” Mom snaps. “Stop acting like a child and go home to your husband. Let Paul run the company and take care of you.”
“Take care of me? You mean stay in a loveless marriage?”
Mom waves me off. “You want to be taken care of. Paul will do that.”
“I’m doing just fine taking care of myself and Poppy.”
“At a diner? Please, Presley.” Mom narrows her gaze at me. “That is not suitable for a King.”
“It works for me.” I turn my attention to the lawyer before standing. “Mr. Tartt. Please don’t call me unless the estate is settled. If you need to pass along updates, email me.”
I give one last look to my mom and Paul before storming out.
I can’t handle the person the two of them turn me into.
Tossing my bag into the front seat of my truck, I turn the car toward the diner. At least there’s a light at the end of this miserable afternoon.
Poppy. And if I’m telling the truth, a part of me—a small part of me—wants to see Kade again.
My life is a disaster. I need to get everything in order before I even let myself think these thoughts. But I can’t help it.
Because Kade is back in town.
And what happens next? Maybe we’ll be able to get back a part of ourselves that we lost that fateful night.