25. An Unlikely Voice of Reason
CHAPTER 25
AN UNLIKELY VOICE OF REASON
“ A ddison! Why are you back?” Emma asked. “I thought I booked you for a return flight on Friday?”
Addison smiled grimly at the senior partner’s assistant. “You’re right. I needed to get back home because of an emergency.”
“Oh no, I hope everything is okay,” Emma said kindly.
“I wanted to thank Mr. Gilbert for his generosity. Is he here?”
Emma shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, he’s in court today. Do you want me to tell him you came by?”
“Definitely. Thanks.”
“Oh, hey, Addison?” Addison turned around at Emma’s voice. “You don’t have to be here if Mr. Gilbert gave you that time off. If I were you, I’d go home and just rest or take care of your emergency.”
Addison nodded and walked back to her office.
Days passed without a response from Tim. Addison had given up on a reconciliation the same evening she sent her text. Tim usually responded almost immediately, so she knew she was being ignored. It felt worse than if they had never gotten together at all. Once she’d felt his love, it was unbearably cold without him. Her condo felt extra empty without his presence—no one to snuggle with at night or laugh with about their days. She even missed his gross guy noises.
Lexi insisted that Addison keep the faith, but Addison was a realist. There was no glitch in the text delivery or a chance that Tim had been kidnapped, unable to look at his phone. The relationship was over.
Addison had updated Laura on telling Lexi and sending the text to Tim. Like Lexi, Laura remained hopeful and urged her to do the same. I don’t have it in me to live in a dream world where there’s any reason for Tim not to text back besides disinterest.
She thought about talking to Jake, but knew he’d take Tim’s side. He’d look out for his buddy’s best interests—which probably didn’t involve getting back with someone who lied.
All she could do was keep her head up and move on. Luckily, she always had a pile of work waiting for her at the office. Addison buried herself in her cases, often staying at work well into the night. This made the partners happy, since her distraction led to even more billable hours than usual. But even her workaholic tendencies couldn’t erase her misery. Without Tim, the only thing of significance in her life was untangling the messes her clients made of theirs
She didn’t want to lean on Lexi too much during her grief, not after lying and keeping secrets seemed. It didn’t feel right to ask for more from her friend now.
Addison found an unhealthy connection with clients who’d gotten themselves into trouble. Recently, she’d felt like the villain in her own story, and dealing with other people’s disasters felt fitting.
Each day blurred into the next. She sleepwalked through work and did the bare minimum to keep up her home and self-care. She didn’t dwell on Tim—she was simply numb.
“Yo, you look like crap,” a voice said from her office door.
She looked up to see Kyle. Not even he could get a rise out of her. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
Kyle frowned, sitting down across from her desk. “For real though, are you okay?”
The last thing I need is Kyle’s sympathy.
“Yep.”
“I don’t believe that. You’re usually a little scary. I like that about you. What’s wrong?”
“I broke up with my boyfriend, and I’m not taking it well. It’s a mess, and so am I.”
“Huh. What guy would let you go? You’re badass. You’re a dream girl. I’d ask you out if I thought you’d say yes. This guy’s a moron.”
Kyle, an unlikely voice of comfort.
“Oh, well, thanks. That’s nice of you,” Addison said awkwardly.
“I’m not trying to be weird or ‘sexually harass you,’” he said, using air quotes. “I just think it’s a waste for someone like you to be upset over a guy.”
Addison smiled weakly. “I appreciate that.”
Kyle pointed finger guns at her as he walked to the door. “Remember: you’re too good for that guy.”
Laura: Amy and I came up with a brilliant plan to fix things with Tim. When can you meet up with us? The sooner, the better.
Addison had forgotten that Laura was “on the case.” She felt a little better after Kyle’s strange pep talk and decided to head home early for the first time since Aspen.
Addison: I’m leaving work now. How soon were you two thinking?
Laura: Now?
Addison blinked at the screen. Yikes. I wasn’t ready for that. But she took a breath and steeled herself. No time like the present.
She packed up and headed over to Amy’s apartment, feeling equal parts nervous and excited to hear their plan since she hadn’t come up with anything on her own.
By the time Addison arrived, Amy had prepared a spread of snacks and drinks, setting the scene for what felt like a serious brainstorming session.
“We have the perfect plan for you,” Amy said, taking a bite of a cracker. Laura nodded enthusiastically.
“It’s nowhere near the level of genius you came up with to save my relationship with Jake, but it’s a good one,” Laura added.
“You’re killing me. What is it?” Addison asked, wringing her hands.
The sisters smiled at each other. “We assumed you’d be Tim’s plus-one for my wedding, but consider yourself officially invited,” Laura began. Okay, nice, but what does that have to do with anything?
“Thanks, that’s nice of you,” Addison said.
“You’d obviously be invited either way. That’s not the point,” Amy cut in impatiently.
“I was getting there,” Laura cried, shooting her sister a look. “The point is we need you at the wedding for everything to happen. Tim is Jake’s best man, so he has to be there.”
That sounds worrisome.
“Uh, escape from what?” Addison asked.
Laura heaved a sigh. “I’m getting there. We think you should give a surprise speech about love, second chances, reconciliation—all that jazz—after the wedding party speeches. You have plenty to say on the topic, considering your role in helping Jake and me. This would be your big moment to convince Tim publicly.”
Amy shot Laura a worried look. “She’s not convinced. Let me try. Addison, weddings are romantic, and you’re an amazing public speaker. You can deliver your message to Tim under the guise of a wedding speech. Say your piece uninterrupted.”
“I don’t know.” I already apologized. Would a grand gesture do anything other than make me look like a fool in front of an audience?
“We can work together on the details, but that’s the setup,” Laura said, looking hopeful.
“You have to admit, we’re experts in relationship comebacks,” Amy added slyly.
I don’t want to use Laura’s big day for myself. What if I get up there and it’s all for nothing? I’d be stuck at the wedding afterward.
“I see the wheels turning in your head,” Laura said. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking this could blow up. It’s risky, and it could affect your wedding day. I’d never forgive myself for ruining it.”
“I’m only having a wedding because you came up with a wild plan to help us. This is my gift to you,” Laura replied softly. “It would mean the world to me if we all had a happily ever after that day.”
Addison sat quietly as Laura and Amy stared at her in anticipation. “Okay. I’m in.”