Page 12 of Wait For You

I let out a sigh. This wasn’t the first time Colin had pointed this out, and I was still reluctant. Even though I knew Rich would never change, there was a thin thread of possibility that he could be a good father. Lately, though, I have felt like our son was truly nothing more than a bargaining chip to his father.

“It’s not something you can do anyway. It’s just the only way to stop all this time in court.”

“It’s been almost two years.” My voice sounded as tired as I felt.

Colin nodded. “I can also call his attorney and feel him out. Attorneys do that all the time.”

“Okay,” I whispered. I swallowed through my aching throat. “So I’ll be going to Juneau for hearings from this point forward?”

“Yes. They’ll offer the option for you to do a live video call, but —”

I cut in quickly. “Absolutely not. I’m appearing in person. I don’t want there to be any doubts from the judge that this matters to me.”

Colin’s phone rang, and his eyes flicked to the phone screen. “Unfortunately, I need to take this call,” he said softly.

“Go ahead. Thank you for keeping me updated.”

I walked out of his office quickly. I felt stripped raw. I was so cold, it felt as if I was standing out in an icy wind in the middle of the winter without anything on. I often felt cold when it came to anything to do with my ex.

I just needed a few minutes to pull myself together. While I stood there, temporarily frozen in place, the door to the reception area opened. I glanced over to see Adam walking in. I wasn’t crying, and I wasn’t shaking, but the second his eyes locked with mine, it felt as if he could see straight through all of my defenses. I had some military-grade barricades built up around me, so that was saying something.

Along with all of the hell that came with being in an emotionally abusive relationship, I learned how to hide it from everyone. I’d never wanted anyone who cared about me to know how stupid I’d been.

Quinn happened to be walking out of her office a second later. Her eyes bounced from me to Adam and back again. She knew me well enough to know the blank look on my face didn’t bode well for my state of mind. She also knew that I would be here to meet with Colin.

Her eyes arced back to Adam. Even though I hadn’t said one word to anyone about Adam, it was as if Quinn put all the pieces together quickly.

“I’m just leaving. If you need my office, it’s yours,” she said. After she started walking, she stopped in front of me, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow evening, right?”

I had to scramble mentally to remember what she was talking about. “Oh right. Dinner. My place. Yes.”

“Perfect.” Her touch was comforting and grounded me a little.

She glanced toward Adam. “I forgot about our meeting. We’ll have to try another time.”

Adam held her gaze for a moment, and I realized he was probably supposed to be meeting with her because Quinn headed up the legal division at Fireweed Industries. Her cousin, Colin, handled the family law cases.

She looked back toward me. “Fireweed Industries. They always need something.”

A smile played at the corners of Adam’s mouth. “No worries. Catch up with you tomorrow at the office?”

She flashed a smile. “Always.”

He held the door for her. Quinn was gone in a blink, leaving Adam and I standing alone in the reception area of an office building where neither of us worked.

Adam didn’t hesitate, striding past me and walking into Quinn’s office as if he owned it. But then, Adam had that kind of confidence. He was understated and quiet, yet never arrogant. He simply commanded any situation when the moment called for it.

I was still frozen a few feet from Quinn’s office door. Adam waited. “You look like you could use a minute. I can leave if that would help.”

“Please don’t,” I whispered, that small request slipping out unbidden.

When my eyes locked with his, my legs were galvanized into motion. I followed him into Quinn’s office. It was familiar as I often stopped by to chat with my friend after meeting with Colin.

Only after Adam closed the door and we were in her quiet office alone did everything that I had kept swaddled tight inside begin to break loose. I trembled so hard my teeth chattered.

I felt Adam stopping in front of me, and one of his hands landed on my shoulder. “Do you want me to go?”

I shook my head, and something like a sob came out. Without a word, Adam folded me into his embrace. He was strong and warm, and I simply let him envelop me. I was so cold and tired, so very, very tired.

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