Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Eden
I glance over at a family of four enjoying a platter of spaghetti and meatballs. The parents are busy talking while their two young sons slurp up long strands of pasta in a race with one another.
I never had a sibling.
I didn’t realize how much I missed that bond until my dad passed away, and I was left alone.
Noelle thinks she fills the role of my sister, but our connection isn’t the same as the one she shares with her brother.
“What’s on your mind, Eden?” Dylan asks from across the table.
We ate dinner while we traded stories about law school. Dylan went to NYU. I studied at Harvard.
My dad had invested every penny of my mom’s life insurance policy in a college fund after her death. I had scholarships in addition to that, so I’m one of the lucky ones who passed the bar without the burden of student debt weighing me down.
Dylan did the same. His parents took care of his education.
“I was thinking about Troy and his daughters.” I drag my gaze back to Dylan’s face. “He only wants the best for them.”
“Their mother is what’s best for them,” he says without missing a beat. “She’ll see to it that they grow up with everything they need.”
They need stability and love. They need peace and a sense of belonging.
I met both girls two days ago. Lulu is a spitfire. She’s sixteen and set on a career in medicine. Aria is nine. Piano is her passion.
They’re lovely and polite, but they’re stressed.
I saw it in their eyes when I ran into them and their dad on the sidewalk outside an ice cream shop.
“Have you met them?” I ask. “Have you met the girls?”
He nods. “I stopped by Trudy’s one day to deliver some documents. The girls were there.”
“They need time with their father.”
Dylan sips from the wine glass in front of him. “His work comes first. Everything in his life comes before those two kids including other women. I doubt like hell he knows when his daughters’ birthdays are.”
His inability to see even a speck of decency in Troy is annoying. I don’t consider Trudy perfect, but she’s their mom. My goal is not to steal them away from her completely. Troy and I both want equal time for him and his wife.
“I’ll fight you hard on this, Dylan,” I tell him. “Custody is a big issue for Troy and me.”
“I’ll win.”
The words are curt and final as if he’s holding the gavel and taken on the role of the judge.
“You won’t win,” I shoot back. “I’m going to prove to Judge Mycella that Trudy isn’t the better parent.”
“I’d like to see you try.” He leans back in his chair.
I don’t know if it’s the frustrations of the case being put over for another ten days or if I’m annoyed with Dylan’s callous attitude about the custodial rights of my client, but I’ve had my fill of spaghetti and my dinner partner.
“We’ll work this out in the courtroom.” I push away from the table.
Dylan’s hand is on my wrist before I can stand. “Where are you going?”
“To Noelle’s.” I tug my arm free. “I need to pack.”
By the time I’m up on my feet, Dylan is too. He edges closer to me, but I ward him off with a hand in the air.
“You’re packing? Why?”
“I’m flying to Buffalo early tomorrow.” I shoulder my bag. “I have work there that I need to take care of.”
He steps closer. His breath skirts over my cheek when he leans down. “I’ll go with you. You can bring your things to my place. I’ll take you to the airport in the morning.”
“I’m staying at Noelle’s tonight.” I look into his eyes.
“Don’t let the Alcester case impact this.” His finger circles the air between us. “That’s business, Eden. This is…”
“Complicated,” I interrupt. “I need to focus on Buffalo for a few days.”
“When will you be back?” Frustration edges his tone.
“Soon,” I don’t offer a specific time even though I know exactly when my flight will land in Manhattan three days from now.
“I’ll wait to hear from you.” He brushes his lips over my cheek. “Travel safe, Eden. I’m a call away if you need me.”
I turn and walk toward the exit of the restaurant.
I do need him. I also need to come to terms with the fact that he’ll fight me tooth and nail in court.
I’m confident that I’ll win, but I can’t help but wonder what it will cost me.