Page 50 of Shameless Expectations

“Got married.” Athena toyed with the tea bag, as if she was distracting herself from the conversation. “We needed a child, each of us, to carry on the family name. Why not have a child together?”

“But you said Kevin is gay, right?” Monti reached over and touched Athena’s arm lightly.

Athena glanced toward the door to the library. When she saw it was closed, she turned back to Monti. Her cheeks were pale and sunken. Was this the event that was haunting her again? Because she seemed comfortable with her marriage.

“He is.”

The silence this time was almost palpable. Monti waited for Athena to break it, realizing far too late that she wasn’t going to say the words. She wasn’t going to spill the last secret that she held.

“How many people know?” Monti held on to Athena’s hand, lacing their fingers tightly so Athena would know she was there.

“Two.” Athena sounded so small.

“I assume you lied on his birth certificate.”

Athena didn’t answer, but her lips thinned, and she stilled. That was as much confirmation as Monti needed. Monti stroked her thumb across the back of Athena’s hand, using the touch and the repetitive movement to keep the two of them connected.

“You do know that I’m bound by confidentiality. Anything you tell me, I won’t share.”

“There are ways around that.” Athena canted her head to the side. “You just have to know the right lawyer.”

“Would that be you?”

“Some days.” Athena drank her tea, but she turned her hand, facing their palms together so they truly grasped onto each other.

Monti shivered, her entire body wanted this. Hell, her mind wanted it too. Connection was what every human being craved, and to deny herself that basic need wouldn’t do her any good. It would leave her in an unbalanced state.

“Do you think your current case is affecting you?”

Athena chuckled lightly, and the sound sent a thrill though Monti. Her nipples hardened, and with the hand holding, she felt like she was really in a relationship. At least, if she allowed herself that fantasy for a few brief seconds it felt like that. “I wouldn’t be a good lawyer if it wasn’t.”

“Why do you take cases like that?”

“Because they deserve better than what I got.”

Monti hummed understanding. “So you think you got shafted.”

“Think?” Athena shook her head slowly, her eyes lighting with mischief. “I know I didn’t get justice. If I can help someone else find that, I’ll work my ass off for it.”

“So now you’re a modern-day Robin Hood.” Monti used her nail this time instead of the side of her thumb, adding a different sensation. Athena’s breath hitched, and her gaze dropped to their joined hands.

“Absolutely not.”

Monti was curious about that. How did Athena view herself if not the hero of this part of the story? She was clearly overcompensating for some things, but what did that mean to how she saw her role when it came to her career? Because she didn’t have to work, from Monti’s understanding.

“I imagine it’s similar to why you studied psychology,” Athena added.

“Why do you think I studied psychology?” Monti was intrigued now. Rarely did she hear people’s opinion on this. They would ask her, but they never blatantly assumed they were correct in whatever assumption they would make.

“Because you’re never completely broken and you’re never completely fixed. But you always have hope that there’s something better out there.” Athena locked their gazes together.

Monti’s stomach twisted in a knot, her heart racing. How the hell had Athena put that so succinctly? She was right. Without hope, Monti would never be where she was today. She just couldn’t figure out where that hope came from. And unfortunately, her hope never led to peace. Which was what she really craved.

“Tell me I’m wrong.” Athena looked almost giddy, as if she wanted Monti to confirm just how right she was.

But did Monti really want to do that? Did she want Athena to have that satisfaction? With a sigh, Monti shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Then we’re not so different after all, are we?”

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