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SERAPHINA
Since I had already planned to go into the office tomorrow morning and hand in my resignation, it was best Noah and I wouldn’t see each other until this afternoon.
I dreaded my conversation with William Cooley, but I wanted to get it over with so I could move on with my life.
After sticking my head in the bedroom door to make sure Luisa was still asleep, I went into the kitchen for a glass of water. Press was standing near the French doors leading to the oceanfront deck.
“Everything okay?” he asked, noticing my reflection in the window.
“I wanted some water.” I poured a glass and walked over to where he stood. “Thank you for being so kind to my sister and my mom.”
“I am happy to do so.”
“I’m sure they won’t want to overstay their welcome and—”
“I’ve seen where they live, Seraphina. The neighborhood isn’t safe, and the apartment lacks the most basic security.”
“Agreed. I’ve been thinking about getting a place big enough for the three of us to live together. While I can’t afford much, if we pool what we’ve each been paying, we can swing it.”
“Doesn’t the DA’s office compensate you fairly?”
“Fairly, yes. Generously, no.” I didn’t tell Press I intended to resign since I didn’t want him to think I expected the three of us to stay on here indefinitely.
“Your sister will feel safer here.”
The man hadn’t looked at me once during the entire conversation. His eyes didn’t even meet mine in my reflection.
“Press, is there something wrong?”
“Not at all.” Still no eye contact.
“Do you have an issue with me specifically? If so, I can leave right now.”
He finally turned in my direction. “Your sister needs you. I suggest you consider putting her before yourself.”
I wanted to slap his face. I’d done nothing besides put Luisa before myself. How dare he suggest otherwise? Instead, I said goodnight and returned to the bedroom my sister and I were sharing.
I spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Meeting with Cooley weighed heavily on my mind, but so did Press’ attitude toward me. When coupled with my mother’s opinion of Noah and his family, I felt like I was living inside a soap opera.
Why was everything so complicated? If my mom would simply be forthright about what had happened between Hewitt Ridge and my family, perhaps misunderstandings could be resolved. As far as Press’ treatment of me, if he had an issue, I’d prefer he tell me what it was. The way things were, I felt increasingly uncomfortable staying in his house. However, he was right to say Luisa needed me here with her. Until she didn’t, or until she was ready to go home, I’d stay out of Press’ way as much as possible.
“Areyou sure you have to return to work already?” my mother asked the next morning as I was on my way out.
“I’m only going in for a meeting. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Between you, Press, and Beau, Luisa will have all the support she needs until I return.”
“It isn’t Luisa I’m worried about. You seem very anxious, Seraphina. Is there something more with your sister’s abduction you haven’t informed me of?”
I shook my head. “It’s been a very tense week, Mom. I’m sure my body hasn’t recovered from the adrenaline surge.”
“You aren’t being honest with me.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to accuse her of the same thing. However, now wasn’t the time for us to argue. I walked over and kissed her cheek. It dawned on me that my car wasn’t here. “I’ll be back soon. Um, can I borrow your car?”
“Where are you off to?” Beau asked, walking into the kitchen.
“To my office. I thought it best to check in.”
He pulled a key fob out of his pocket and handed it to me. “Take mine. It’s the red Audi.” Given my mom’s rust bucket made me nervous every time I was in it, I accepted his offer. Maybe later, when Noah and I got together, I’d ask him to swing me by my place to pick up mine.
