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She finally walks away, looking almost disappointed, but I really don’t care. As soon as she’s out of ear shot, Collins head moves from side to side a couple of times while he laughs. “She’s so fucking disappointed.” I lift a single shoulder and lift the huge ass restaurant burger to my mouth.
“I’m not interested.”
“You’re never interested.” I swallow the bite I just took, then level him with a raised brow.
“You wanna have a threesome?”
“Fuck no.” He laughs as tosses one of his fries at me. I swat it away and can’t help but laugh when it ricochets back and hits him in the shoulder. “I just meant that you never take any of them up on anything. I figured you would at least once in a while.”
“The ones that blatantly offer like that aren’t usually my type.” I hold back from wanting to say that there’s only one woman who is my type, and she’s not here.
“I guess that’s fair.” He shoves a handful of fries in his mouth and thankfully he seems to drop the subject. We don’t usually talk about shit too deep or personal. Not that this was that deep, it’s still more than normal.
Just as we both finish off our burgers, my phone pings with a text message and I don’t have to look at it to know what it’s telling me.
It’s done.
“We can go.” Collins looks just as relieved as I am. He pulls out his wallet and throws a fifty-dollar bill onto the table before standing.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here.”I couldn’t agree more.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Anya
In law school,I used to be teased that I would make a terrible lawyer. The reason was because I didn’t like to lie. I was one of the few law students who believed that the truth could set you free. I don’t like the idea of lying and hiding things from people. But ever since I found out the truth about Alec and his business, I feel like that’s all I ever do.
Like now, sitting here across from Noah, trying to act like I don’t know the real reason his wife and her boyfriend were killed in a car accident. It’s hard. The official story is that they kidnapped the kids and went to Georgia on their way out of the country. Then left them at the hotel to go get supplies, but weren’t paying attention on their way back and slid off the road and crashed into a tree. It’s believable enough and considering the fact that Noah was surrounded by police at his house when it all happened, there’s no reason for anyone to suspect otherwise.
“I wish I knew how to feel right now.” Noah sounds so lost and confused, my heart aches for him.
“What do you mean?” He slumps a little in his seat and combs his fingers through his hair in frustration and defeat.
“I was so angry at her. I mean, she abandoned us, then came back and tried to take away the only things I have to live for. I was pissed.”
“As you should have been.”
“But now she’s dead. A part of me is relieved that this is over and I don’t have to worry about her doing anything else stupid. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still love her.”
Emotion and guilt begin to clog my throat and I quickly reach for the water I have on the table and suck it up through the straw to soothe my rough throat.
“I get it, Noah. I really do. And I wish I could say that it’ll get easier, but it may not. Not only do you have to figure out how you feel about this, but you have to help your kids through it as well. I can’t even imagine how you feel right now. But it’ll be a lot easier to deal with now that you know the whole ordeal is over.” He nods a couple of times, his eyes unfocused and glassy.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I know we’ll get through this.”
“And I’m here if you need anything. I can connect you with resources, counseling. Anything that could help you.”
He nods softly a couple of times before slowly rising from his seat. “Thanks, Anya. I’m sure I’ll take you up on that at some point.” He holds out his hand and I’m quick to shake it. I’m not usually one to rush people out of my office, they’re usually here because they need help and I’m always happy to help. But the longer Noah is here, the harder it’s becoming to lie to him.
I walk him out to the corridor, and the empty desk in the front reminds me of Willow’s suggestion about hiring a receptionist. After last week though, I’m not exactly sure if I want to bring an outsider in here. It would be too much to hide.
“Thanks again, Anya. For everything.”
“You’re welcome, Noah. I’m sorry it all had to turn out this way. But I’m here if you ever need me again.” He just gives me a soft smile before walking out the door and that’s when I catch sight of Hunter and Nicole on the sidewalk. Since Nicole’s Art Gallery is right next door, it’s not uncommon to see her. She usually stops by at least once a week or so to see if I want to grab lunch. One of the best things that has come from moving here is building a relationship with Lillie and Nicole. I knew Lillie’s parents, since they were close with Alec and Wyatt growing up. She’s the youngest of us, but that woman has been through hell and back. Knowing that Wyatt was willing to risk everything for Nicole was enough information I needed to know that she’s special.
I step outside and smile brightly at both of them. “Hey, you two!”
“Hey!” Nicole’s blonde hair shines in the sun and I almost chuckle to myself for thinking that I understand why Wyatt calls her Angel. “I was coming by to see if you wanted to go to lunch.”
