Chapter 25 #3
This wouldn’t end our relationship. I loved her. I loved my father. But I needed time.
That was Ryan and I, needing space to think.
The difference was I didn’t when it came to her. With Ryan, my certainty was as steady as the energy that sparked between us.
Hot, untamable. Eternal.
“If you’ve found something real with her, hold onto it,” my mom said hoarsely. “Give her that time she needs, and then make sure she understands.”
I forced down the knot in my throat as she gripped my hand before crossing my office and softly closing the door.
I rose and went around the desk to wake up my computer. The wrongness of Ryan not being here, not driving me crazy, sank into my bones, and I gave in to the urge to rest my head in my hands.
Just for a minute though. This wasn’t the end.
She wasn’t going to think her way out of being in love with me, even if she didn’t know it yet.
I pulled up her email and didn’t bother to reread it. I knew what it said. If those penguins had been here, I could’ve recited it to their saxophone music.
It didn’t take long to write my response.
I will wait.
I pressed send just as a knock sounded at the door. Inwardly, I groaned. “Mrs. Donnelly, I told you not to come by today, that I’ll be in first thing Monday—”
“I’m not Mrs. Donnelly, Mr. Shaw.” Grant Thorn opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes wild and his longish hair whipped into a frenzy from either his hands or a sudden windstorm. He wore a tie with his sport jacket, but it looked as if it was on the verge of coming unknotted.
“Thorn, what happened?” I shot around the desk in an instant. “Did something happen to Ryan? Where is she? I’ll go to her. Just tell me where she is.”
He shocked me by smiling. “So, it’s you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He shook his head. “She’s fine. I don’t know where she is.”
The adrenaline surge through my veins crashed into something akin to despair. “Then how do you know she’s fine?”
“I’m sorry, mate, I talked to her, but I didn’t know she wasn’t home. I called for a reference.”
I frowned. My mind was still spinning, and I hadn’t quite caught my breath yet. “Are you looking for secretarial work?”
“No indeed. I need a lawyer. She says you’re the best, so I need you.”
“You told me you didn’t have a wife, so what do you need with a divorce attorney? Or let me guess.” I crossed my arms. “You suddenly remembered you’re actually married. There’s been a lot of that confusion going around lately.”
His jaw went to granite. “My Anna is dead, so you’ll mind the assumptions.”
I closed my eyes and held up a hand. “Sorry. It’s been a day. No excuse to take it out on you.”
“It’s all right.”
I opened my eyes again and got myself back in line as I rounded the desk to take my seat. “I’m a recently unemployed divorce attorney. I don’t know what kind of lawyer you need, but there’s a good chance I’m not it.”
“Ryan recommended you. She told me I wanted you, needed you, in fact, and I do. I’m not above begging, Mr. Shaw. Not in this circumstance.”
I gripped my mouse as I stared unseeingly at my inbox.
She hadn’t replied yet, but she’d recommended me.
Quite strongly, it sounded like. A commendation of my work from someone like her meant a lot.
She wasn’t that familiar with it, but she knew me.
Days and hours didn’t matter. Sometimes you just knew.
She might have needed space, but she still believed in me.
I grabbed my legal pad and motioned for him to sit. “Call me Preston. Tell me what’s going on.”
Grant sank into the chair opposite my desk and laid it all out for me. His in-laws lived in the western part of the state, and although they’d mentioned wanting to spend more time with his daughter Poppy since their daughter Anna’s death, he’d thought they’d come to an understanding.
Evidently not.
Yesterday, he was served with papers at work. They were suing for joint custody. He spent too many long hours at his vet practice and then volunteered at the shelter besides, which meant Poppy spent a lot of time with sitters after school.
“They’re right, of course. I can’t be in two places at once.
I’d hoped when she was a little older, she might want to work at my practice after school.
She loves animals, and she’s so good with them.
We have a dog named Bosco and…” He trailed off.
“Sorry. Not important. But she’s only 9 yet, and they won’t give me the time.
” He braced his elbows on his knees and shoved his hands through his mussed hair.
More time. Never enough of it.
“You said you’re recently unemployed.” Thorn frowned. “Ryan didn’t tell me that. You didn’t lose your license, did you?”
“Definitely not. I’m still a lawyer.” I toyed with my gold pen, one like the many others in my cup. “Last Christmas, I took on my buddy’s custody case.”
Thorn sat up straighter. “Did you win?”
“Well, the mother didn’t want to take care of her child, so that made it easier. But yes.”
As quickly as the light had come into Thorn’s eyes, it dimmed. “My wife would be so hurt by all of this. She never wanted anything more than for all of us to be one big happy family.” He stared down at his hands. “I don’t know why they’re trying to take her from me. She’s all I have left.”
“They won’t take her.”
My vehemence made him lift his head. “Do you really think you can win?”
“I know I will.” I rose. “Let me do some preliminary research, and then I’ll be in touch to discuss more. You can leave your contact information with my assistant—” I sighed and held out a hand. “With me.”
He stood and gripped mine, pumping it heartily. “Ah, feck.” He drew me into a half hug across the desk, and I was so surprised I hugged him back with equal fervor.
Then again, he’d given me hope with Ryan. So, I’d hug the guy all day long.
Well, maybe for another thirty seconds or so.
“Reduced fee,” I added as he moved back.
“Oh, you’re a godsend. Truly.”
I held up a hand when he swooped in again. The damn Irish. They were a touchy-feely sort. “No more hugs. We’ll just call it good.”
He let out a half laugh. “That we will. I appreciate this more than you’ll ever know. My Anna would too.”
“I’m happy to help. Someone has to stand up for what’s right.”
For once, that someone would be me. Thanks to Ryan.
Later that evening, I was standing on my balcony halfheartedly looking through my telescope at the night sky. I had my scotch on the railing and kept moving it every time Smoky decided to stick his face in the glass.
Approximately every two minutes.
“Only a week ago, I’d never seen Ryan in person. Yet I jerked off to her voice.” I blinked as the cat swished his tail. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”
He jumped down and sashayed back inside. I didn’t blame him. I’d been rambling on and off for the last hour at least.
This waiting thing sucked.
I focused on Vega, the brightest star of the Summer Triangle overhead.
I didn’t make a wish, but I thought of how she’d appeared this morning as she looked out the telescope, her bare feet on the same spot on the floor where mine now were.
Talking to the cat, who’d listened with rapt attention.
All that dark hair blowing in the breeze as her husky laughter rolled out and made me ache.
God, I already ached.
My phone buzzed with a new voicemail. Shit, I’d forgotten to turn the ringer back on. I grabbed it, already grinning.
“Your extended warranty is expiring,” I read aloud, scanning the voicemail transcript.
Biting off an oath, I hit the icon for the trash can.
The next time a text came in, I almost didn’t succumb. The crushing sense of defeat afterward nearly wasn’t worth it. But hope was stubborn.
And flared to life as I gazed at the photo of Ryan and I kissing a few days ago. She didn’t say anything, but she’d sent it.
She was thinking of me too. Thank fuck.
I debated how to reply as I showered. Playing it cool was a valid strategy, but I didn’t want to seem blasé.
Dex would probably send a dick pic. I definitely wasn’t doing that.
I got in my bed in the dark and closed my eyes. She was everywhere. Her honeyed scent all around me. I could feel her in my arms. Her hair against my face. Her warmth an imprint against my skin.
I fumbled for my phone.
Miss Moon,
You did not request time off from work today in advance. I would replace you, but you’re irreplaceable to me.
Sincerely,
PMS, Esq.