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“He texted me.”
“James?”
I nodded.
“Open it.”
Trembling in sudden anxiousness, I read the messages aloud.
Just wanted you to know, Lucas wasn’t a problem at all, and he was happy for us.
Eliza and I spoke this morning and she’s still pretty pissed. She doesn’t want to see me.
Are you coming to work Monday?
“Are you?” He lifted a hand to his chin.
“No.” I tossed my phone on the bed. “Please leave so I can sleep.”
“Stop being childish!” he spat. “You’re being a brat, Maddie, and there’s no need.”
“I destroyed my best friend and lost the greatest man who’s ever happened to me, Tony!” I lifted my hand. “No offense.”
“None taken.” He chuckled.
“Wait!” I’d just remembered he’d been with Vincenzo when he carried Alicia out of the country club last night. “What did you guys do with Alicia?!”
He fell on my bed sideways, propping on his elbow. “If you’re not going to take care of yourself today, I’m ordering us some food here and I’ll babysit you.”
“Did you guys murder her?”
He pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Give me a hint at least!” I threw my hands out to the side.
He grinned. “Ding dong.”
“The witch is dead?!”
He pursed his lips, lifting his brows.
* * *
JAMES
The dreadful weekend didn’t fly by, it dragged. I hadn't heard from Maddie after I texted her. It was safe to assume she wasn't coming to work, but I sat at my desk staring at the door like any minute she would walk through and surprise me.
I also hadn't heard from my daughter. I’d texted her a couple of times, asking if we could meet, but she didn't even open my messages, or she'd hidden the Read receipts. I tried to focus on work, doing both the job of the receptionist and lawyer. But I didn't have any meetings today, and my mind was all over the place all morning.
I chastised myself for my choices, though I didn't regret them. It just made me sad that my happiness had hurt others. My heart was sincere, and I cherished everyone. Especially my family. I didn't even feel remorse about what I allowed Vincenzo to do to Alicia. As far as I was concerned, it was warranted, one hundred percent.
Sliding my laptop over, I flipped it open, though concentrating was hard. I just wanted to fix everything that I had broken in the past week. Both with Elizabeth and the woman I was now in love with. I lowered my gaze to the screen, blinking back a mix of emotions. The door opened, and I lifted my eyes. Shocked was an understatement.
“Are you alone?”
I nodded, pushing back from my desk, not wanting to make any sudden moves that would scare my daughter away. “Hey, sweetheart.”
She rolled her eyes, stepping into the room, carrying a white plastic bag from the Thai restaurant. “Have you eaten?”
