Alex grimaces and gives me an apologetic look.
“You said there was a library nearby?” I ask, keeping my tone light. “I’ll go there to do some work. Text me when you’re finished.” I walk to the spare room, feeling Theresa’s eyes on my back the whole way. Once I have my laptop, I leave, nodding goodbye to Alex.
“I need to know everything about that night,” Theresa says. Despite her requests for privacy, she doesn’t wait for the door to close before speaking. “We want to bring a strong case to the judge to make sure this annulment is approved.”
I close the door behind me and sag against it. This afternoon was amazing, practically a fantasy come true, until reality busted through the door in the form of a determined ex-girlfriend.
As I walk, I pull my phone out of my pocket and look up the number I need. It only takes two rings before someone answers: “Bailey, Beiler, and Pratchett, how can I help you?”
“I need to speak with Richard Beiler.” Before she can fob me off, I add, “Tell him Euan Blair is calling.”
The receptionist is quiet for a moment, then she says, “One moment please.”
By the time I’ve settled myself behind the steering wheel, the call picks up again. “Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to hear from you, Mr. Blair.”
“Theresa will be representing Alex in the annulment case,” I explain. “Are you able to represent me?”
Silence stretches for a long time as Richard considers. “Theresa and I work for different firms, so it’s possible. We’ve represented opposing sides in the courtroom before. Why do youwantme to represent you? If I’m frank, you didn’t seem happy with me this afternoon, and I can’t blame you. Are you attempting to use me to punish Alex in some way?”
“No,” I snap. “I’m not angry with Alex.”
There’s a long pause, and then Richard asks, “Are you fighting the annulment?”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “No, I don’t want to do that either. I’m only seeking representation to ensure that my interests are properly looked after. You seem familiar with Theresa’s style. I want someone Iknowshe can’t trample in the courtroom.”
“I’m honored by your confidence in me,” he replies. Although his tone is dry, he seems sincere. “I don’t have any more client meetings tonight. Why don’t you stop by my office again? We can discuss the details further.”
“I’ll see you there.” I hang up and type the directions into my phone, then put the car in drive and head straight to Richard Beiler’s office.
Chapter Nineteen: Alex
“I have everything I need for now,” Theresa declares. She reaches for me, but I stand up before she can grab me again.
I thank her and walk toward the door, not-so-subtly hinting that she should leave now.
She remains on the couch, frowning up at me. “What is the matter with you?”
Sighing, I rub the back of my neck and look down at the floor, as if I’ll find answers hiding in the floor. “I don’t like how … familiar you’ve been with me.”
“Familiar?” she repeats, finally getting to her feet. “Alex, we’ve been dating for a year and a half.”
“Dated,” I correct. “Wedatedfor a year and a half.” When I glance up at her, she’s staring at me like I punched her rather than used the correct tense. “We aren’t in that kind of relationship anymore.”
For a moment, I think she’s going to argue with me, but she simply takes a deep breath and relaxes her shoulders. “You’re right. It’s a new development. Forgive me if I’m not used to our new dynamic yet.”
I nod, accepting the sort-of-apology. “If you’re not comfortable representing me—”
“No!” She steps forward, reaching for me, then pauses and carefully lowers her hand. “I still think it’s important to help you with this annulment. Please. It’ll give me something to focus on.” She laughs, the sound strangled and a little too high-pitched. “I really can’t stand the thought of sitting on the sidelines while someone else helps you through this.”
I scan her face and all I find is sincerity and worry. “Alright,” I whisper. “But I don’t want any goodbye kisses or thigh squeezes or pet names. Not while I’m married to Euan.”
“While you’re married to—Alex, you’re getting an annulment! You’re not in a real relationship with him! He’s some drunken asshole you met at a bar who took advantage of you—”
“He didn’t take advantage of me!” We’re both shouting now, and it takes a conscious effort to pause, breathe, and lower my voice. “Euan’s a good guy. We were both looking for the same thing that night and it just turned into something more than we bargained for.”
“What were you—” she begins, then snaps her mouth shut, as if she doesn’t want the answer.
Or maybe she already knows the answer. When we talked about Richard earlier, she insisted she hadn’tsleptwith him. That doesn’t mean nothing happened. It also didn’t escape my notice that the first person she went to after our breakup was an old ex. An ex who might still be in love with her, whether she realizes that or not.
