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“That’s what I thought, but it was late. So instead, I imagined you giving me a pep talk, and bam…it worked. It helped me make a decision.” I leaned my elbows on the counter and placed my chin in my palms.
“My pep talks always work. Now…” Ophelia’s smile grew, and she turned to reach for a notebook behind her. “My schedule…and these boxes I’ll be shipping…”
“Bring it.” I waved, sitting back up again, giving her my full attention—at least trying to.
Chapter Twenty-Five
-Milo-
My phone dinged, a sound I had grown to hate. Ever since I hired Richard as my lawyer and he had been in touch with Hannah’s lawyer, my phone had been going off nonstop. When I heard the chime, I had to close my eyes and take a few deep breaths before even looking at my phone. I would hope and pray it was Madeline or Clay. Hell, I’d even take a text from a coworker saying they were dying and I needed to cover their shift, but eight times out of ten, it was Richard.
His text was giving me the time and place for our first mediation on Thursday afternoon. I read the message quickly, responding back with a “see you there” and then blacked out my screen, shoving it back into my pocket to ignore it. To say I wasn’t looking forward to it would be an understatement.
Madeline had promised she would come to any—if not all—mediation meetings, even taking the time off from work. Richard had told me she would be allowed to sit in the hall, but unless Hannah agreed to her being there, she couldn’t come to the actual room. Madeline nodded and took every direction, understanding the legal terms that went with this entire custody ordeal, grasping my hands as we sat across from Richard in his office. Her comfort was all I needed to make it through that meeting with him, but not having her in the room during the mediation was going to be hard. I craved her comfort more than anything right now—in more ways than one.
But then again…we weren’t a couple.
But then again…I so wish we were.
Not that it was weird trying to return to normal. It was just…difficult, in a way. I still spoke to her every day and went to her house after my shifts. We would have dinner and watch a Marvel movie, Madeline always sitting just out of my reach. I wanted to scoot next to her, pull her close to me and tell her it wasn’t complicated, that we could date and be together. I wanted to tell her I loved her over and over, but I knew she had a point. I had to keep my mind focused on one thing.
And walking into the courthouse with Madeline at my side was not helping me focus.
It was doing the exact opposite.
She had worn a flowy blue dress, one that I knew Ophelia had made just for her. A white cardigan made the outfit more modest. Her black flats made her professional, and the book sleeve sticking out of her small purse gave me the librarian vibes. She planned to sit in the hall, read her novel and wait patiently for me to arrive. I couldn’t help but watch as she began to walk up the stairs, her hips swaying, making the skirt flow from side to side. I slowed down and took a deep breath.
Blinking, I caught up to her, skipping a few steps.
“What book did you bring?” I spoke softly as I leaned into her, my mouth close to her ear.
Madeline turned and smiled at me; a smile that made me almost forget I was here to fight for custody. She reached for the large wooden door and held it open, allowing me to step through. I was the gentleman. I should be doing this small gesture for her, but Madeline held the door and brushed my arms with her hand as I passed through, turning to wait for her to walk in.
“It’s calledThe Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany.It was a…”
“Book of the Month?” I smiled at her, seeing the little logo on the spine of her book.
She nodded. “I’m behind on reading them, someone keeps buying me Colleen Hoover books and taking me to Powell’s.”
“How many books on your shelf are unread?” I asked, holding open the second set of doors for her. I instantly saw Richard and groaned. The reminder of why I was here hitting like a ton of bricks.
“You don’t need to know.” She chuckled.
“Milo.” Richard’s loud voice and smile caught our attention. I reached for Madeleine’s hand, almost out of instinct, making sure she was still there. “Madeline, glad you made it. Hannah hasn’t said anything about you in the meeting, but I haven’t seen them arrive yet.”
“I may be able to come in?” Madeline asked with hope in her voice.
Richard shrugged. “It’s a possibility, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
She pursed her lips, turned to look at me, shrugging one shoulder and giving me an “oh well” expression. “I have a book. I’ll be fine.”
Richard chuckled, turning his back and waving for us to follow him. Still holding onto Madeline’s hand, I took a step.
“I would be more comfortable if you were there. I know Donald is going to be there. It won’t hurt to have you next to me,” I whispered.
Madeline squeezed my hand. “Donald is Holly’s stepdad. I’m just ‘Aunt Maddy.’ I’ll be here, and that's enough,” she whispered back, coming closer to me as we rounded the corner.
Hannah and Donald came into view, and my stomach lurched. I was hoping I would arrive before them, giving me an upper leg, but here they were. A tall woman stood next to Hannah, her pantsuit finely pressed, and her blonde hair straight as an arrow. Her entire demeanor screamedlawyer.She looked…terrifying.
