Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
She was here.
She smiled at me, cupping my face. “Yeah?”
I kissed her again. “Yeah.”
I tugged her to the sofa, sitting beside her. “Did you come to see Hannah too?”
“No. Just you. I-I wanted to see you.”
I bent and brushed my mouth over hers. “Thanks, Cherry G. That means more than I can say.”
She grasped my hand, and I felt a tremor go through her.
“Hey, what’s the matter?”
“I have something to say. If you’re angry, I understand. If you want nothing to do with it, I won’t be upset. But I had to come and ask.”
“Baby, I doubt you could make me angry. Just tell me.”
She drew in a deep breath. “I was thinking about you this morning.”
Teasingly, I dropped a kiss to her knuckles. “I like the sound of that.”
She huffed. “Listen to me, Mr. Salvatore.”
I chuckled. “Okay, I’ll behave.”
“I was working on a client, and she noticed I was distracted. Now, she is more than a client, she’s a friend. I should say that.”
“Okay.”
“We had coffee, and I told her about you.”
“What about me?”
“That we were, ah, seeing each other.” She took another deep breath. “And about Josh.”
“Why would you bring him up?”
“Because her husband—um, I cut his hair too on occasion. He…he’s a big shot lawyer. He specializes in family law. Advocating for the father whenever he can.”
I blinked.
“And I thought maybe you could talk to him. Tell him your story. He might be able to help. Fiona thought so.”
“Fiona?”
“His wife.”
“And his name?”
“Halton. Halton Smithers.”
I had heard that name. Seen it in the papers and on the news. I knew he was a heavy hitter in family law. And way above my budget.
“Fiona spoke with him. He agreed to meet with you—if you want that. A free consultation.”
I blinked. A free consultation. I might not be able to afford his fees, but he might be able to give me some advice. A tip or two on how to proceed.
It was a chance.
“Are you angry with me?” Cherry asked quietly.
I turned to her, taking her hands. “How could I be angry? You wanted to help. A meeting with him could at least point me in the right direction. Maybe he’d have an idea my lawyer didn’t.” I grimaced. “He wasn’t the best, but he was what I could afford. Roxanne wiped me out, for the most part.”
“He’s a wonderful man. I like him a lot. And Fiona is great. She helps him. They offered to get you in on Friday at six if you could.”
“Six?”
She smiled. “I think they are extending their hours for you.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Yes.”
“Then set it up.”
“Okay.”
I sat back, watching as she sent off a text. A few moments later, she looked up. “Fiona said to bring everything you have. Halton wants to look it over. If there is any chance he could get it ahead of time, it would help.”
“I could take it in tomorrow. It’s all in a file box. I keep it up-to-date.”
“I could drop it off to them. Save you a trip. Then when you meet with him, he’ll be ready.”
I stroked her cheek. “Thanks, Cherry G.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Stay,” I asked.
“What?”
“Stay here with me tonight. Please. I don’t want to be alone. I was on my way to you when you arrived.”
“You were?”
I nodded. “All I could think about was you. Your presence. How much calmer I feel when you’re around.”
She looked pleased. “Then how can I say no?” She looked down. “I don’t have anything—”
“I’ll give you something to wear. I have extra toothbrushes. None of your fancy girl face stuff, but I have soap.”
She laughed. “I’ll make do.” Then she stood. “Did you eat?”
“No.”
“Me either.” She held out her hand. “How about a burger at Zeke’s?”
I let her pull me from the sofa. “Sounds good.”
We walked to Zeke’s, enjoyed a burger, not talking much, but I felt more relaxed than I had all day. I told her about sharing my story with Charly, Maxx, Chase, and Stefano and their reaction. She’d been pleased I had done so.
“They’re your friends, Dom. Of course they would understand and want to be there for you.”
“I guess I’m not used to that.”
“You must have other friends who care about you.”
“I do. But since Roxanne and Josh, I tend to hold myself back a bit. I have lots of acquaintances. People I’m friendly with. But I don’t let them in.”
“But I see how you give of yourself in a friendship.”
I chewed my burger, thinking. “This crew is different. They’re a family, and they brought me into their fold.” I met her eyes. “And you blew my doors wide open, Cherry G. You make me want to stay. Be part of that family—as long as you’re there with me.”
Her eyes widened, and her smile broke out. It was my favorite of all her smiles. Wide, happy, and a little shy. Pleased. Her eyes crinkled, and a little dimple appeared by the left one. Tiny, hardly noticeable unless you were looking.