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Finley drew back. “What? Is he firing me?”
Matt laughed. Winced. “No. He’s not firing you. Jack and I believe you should go for the brass ring, Fin. Get out there and do big things. Make the Judge proud.”
Finley rolled her eyes. “There you go, ruining the moment.”
He lifted his hand, touched her cheek, prompting her to look at him. “Fin, you mean the world to me. I want you to be happy. I want you to do all the things we talked about back in law school. I want you to be you, and I want to be able to watch you shine.”
She smiled, remembering all those fierce conversations and debates before and after exams. All the wine and beer and cramming. “You mean the world to me too, Matt. You are the smartest, most—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Just listen.”
She nodded, her lips suddenly on fire. Maybe she was just too tired to think straight. Had to be the problem.
“I don’t want you taking any more crazy chances or driving yourself crazy about the past. I need your word on that.”
“I swear.”
“Good.”
He smiled, held her gaze with his until she was certain he would kiss her.
“So when Jack and I were talking,” he went on, breaking the tension, “we discussed the fact that Briggs is up for reelection next year. You should throw your hat in the ring and go for it.”
Finley put her hand to his forehead. “Are you okay? Should I call a nurse?”
“I’m serious,” he insisted. “And so is Jack. Just think about it, Fin. Think about the difference you could make. The change you could effect.”
“No promises,” she warned, “but I will think about it.”
Matt regaled her with the story of how a nurse had given him a sponge bath and Jack had been so jealous. She listened and laughed and thanked God a thousand times that her dear friend was okay.
She had loved Derrick with all her heart, but Matt was right. She couldn’t keep looking back. Derrick wanted her to be happy, and she intended to give it her best effort.
When Matt drifted off to sleep, she watched him until she could no longer hold her eyes open. Matt was her best friend. She adored him.
She loved him.
He’s in love with you—you know that, right?
Yes. She did know.
34
The Other Woman
1:00 p.m.
Seven Mile Beach
Grand Cayman
The weather was amazing, exactly the right temperature.
The sun, the sugary-white beach, and the sparkling water, all the things Jessica had longed for. But her husband never wanted to take a vacation. Ellen never wanted to leave the office for more than a weekend.
Jessica was still young; she wanted more, and kids were not part of those desires. Let her husband find some other broodmare. This was her happy place. She reached for her cute little exotic umbrella drink and savored a long sip before placing it back on the table next to her.
She was never leaving.
