“Okay,” I agree, nibbling the corner of my lip. “When you are ready, I’ll be here for you.”
“I know,” she says sadly before continuing. “While I was poking around, I found a photo of Braden.”
I jerk my head up and sit straight. “Really?” I exclaim.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “I hope I didn’t overstep, but I messaged the woman privately. I told her I had a friend she should talk to. Don’t worry—I didn’t tell her who you were.”
“What did she say?” I ask slowly, not confident I want to know the answer.
“Her name is Jade. She gave me her cell phone number. She would like to talk to you.”
Blowing out a breath, I stand and pace the length of the room. Do I want to talk to the person who’s covering for Braden? Maybe I should give the information to Mason and let him deal with her.
Megan slips her hand into the pocket of her jacket, pulls out a folded slip of paper, and places it in my hand.
“Thank you.” I unfold it and look at the number. Glancing up at Meg, I ask, “Do you think I should call her?”
Shrugging, she says, “Jade may be able to answer some questions. At least find out how long they have been together. I would want to know.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I put the note into my back pocket. “Thank you for this.”
“Can I ask you a question before I go?” she asks, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.
“Of course. Anything.”
“How did you know your relationship was over?” She looks at me with teary hazel eyes.
“I just couldn’t do it anymore,” I say sadly. “There were lots of problems over the years, but then everything would be good, and I would convince myself it was all in my head. He knew that and used it against me. Finding out he made plans to meet another woman on our road trip was the final straw.”
I hate my friend feels like she needs to navigate what’s going on between her and Jeff alone. Unfortunately, I also understand why.
Before she can respond, there is a soft knock on my door, and April pops her head in. “Sorry to interrupt. Your next appointment is here.”
They can wait. I don’t want Meg to feel like I’m rushing her out the door. Before I can say so, she stands and says, “I won’t keep you. Talk soon.”
April opens it farther to allow her to pass. I hear her muffled voice say, “Excuse me,” in the hall and the deep timbre of a man’s voice before he appears at my door.
“Vaughan?” I stand and tilt my head. “What are you doing here?”
I haven’t seen him since the first time I met him at The Riff, but he would be difficult to forget. He oozes confidence and charm, and he’s easy to look at. April is a very lucky woman and, by the hearts in her eyes, she knows it.
“I have an appointment.” He smiles warmly before glancing down at April glued to his side.
“April,”—I quirk an eyebrow at my friend—“you never mentioned that Vaughan was my eleven o’clock client.”
“Didn’t I? Oops, I must have forgotten,” she says innocently, then chuckles.
“Don’t be angry with her. I asked her not to mention it was me. I just want a few minutes of your time to talk.”
Fuck my life. I’m trying to earn an income here. I can’t waste time chatting when I could be working. But Vaughan and Ryan are friends. Not to mention he is April’s…boyfriend. Maybe? Probably.
“Okay,” I agree. “Come in.” I’m going to have to think about hauling in another chair or a couch from the waiting room if people are going to keep popping in.
He drops a kiss on top of April’s head before saying, “After Beck and I talk, we can go for lunch. Okay, Sugar?”
“No hurry.” She grins up at him before giving me a quick wave and closing the door behind her. She’s become quite the little busybody lately.
“May I?” he asks, pointing to the empty chair.
