Page 51 of The Acquisition

"You will, and the rest of us will do whatever we can to help you." Even if that meant I'd have to keep my mouth shut about the biggest thing that had ever happened to me.

"I'm really glad you came by. I've been going out of my mind, and there's actually something I wanted to run past you," she said.

"Should I be worried? The last time you had a crazy idea, you were setting off to work with a moody billionaire."

She waved me off. "Something my dad said not long ago got me thinking."

"Now I'm terrified," I joked.

Evie ignored my comment, like I knew she would. "He wanted to introduce me to the Jenny he knew. Honestly, the things he says about my mom are hard to understand. The bad memories I have of her have drowned out the few good ones I had."

My heart sank. The bubble I'd spent the weekend living in with Colter burst. Here I was feeling like something was starting between us, but this was the reminder I needed that my relationship with Colt had an end date. One year to be specific, or whenever he finally got tired of playing house.

I forced down the lump forming in my throat. "Does he talk about her a lot?"

Evie shrugged. "I wouldn't say a lot. I think knowing I'm his daughter has brought up old memories. I just wish he could let her go."

"You don't think he has?"

"I think he's held onto the memories of a fifteen-year-old boy who thought he was in love. He remembers my mom through that lens and never got to see her when she'd refuse to get out of bed for days at a time. He didn't get to experience the times we had to go out looking for her because she'd run off. He definitely didn't get to experience finding her high and shacked up with some guy. But it's important to him, so I'm trying to let go of the past."

"So what is this thing you need my help with?" I needed to move this conversation forward because I can't keep dwelling on Colter's feelings for a dead woman.

"I got to thinking about all the reasons I wanted out of Coalville. I don't know if I can forgive my mom, but maybe I can do something to help stop people from turning into her."

She held her hands out wide. "Look at all this. I've gotten a lucky break, and I'd like to pay it forward."

"What were you thinking?"

"I want to open a crisis center. Some place that offers drug counseling, job training, and anything else that would keep people from following the same path my mother took," she explained.

"I think that sounds wonderful, but until that baby is done cooking, you have to let me do the leg work," I insisted.

"I can't ask you to do that," she whispered.

"Yes you can. I'm your best friend. If this is important to you, then it's important to me." And right now it would remind me that Jenny would always hold Colter's heart. I didn't want to spend my life as a stand in for a dead woman.

My entire life I'd been the consolation prize. The unwanted daughter. The girlfriend who was good enough until they'd found the one. Now I was the convenient wife.

I needed to remember this feeling, because until I was good enough for myself, I'd never be good enough for someone else.

* * *

After my chat with Evie, I found myself wandering around her neighborhood. Lunchtime approached, but I didn't know if I could be near Colter. Not while the realization he was still in love with Evie's mom was in the front of my mind.

At noon my phone started ringing. I didn't have to look at it to know it was Colt. Aside from Evie, I rarely got phone calls on my personal phone. After ignoring at least half a dozen calls I finally pulled it from my bag.

As I suspected most of them were from Colter. Evie texted to let me know her dad was looking for me. I sent a quick reply telling her I had an errand to run. Of course it was a lie, but I'd told her so many lately what was one more?

The last call was from Colter's lawyer, Caroline. I skipped listening to her message and immediately called her.

"Jana," she sighed, "I'm so glad you called me back."

"Sorry I missed your call. Somehow I accidentally turned off my ringer while running errands. It looks like everyone is trying to get ahold of me." I gave myself a mental pat on the back. It was a logical explanation for why I wasn't answering my phone.

I needed a bit of space after my weekend with Colt to reinforce my walls. The fact was my new husband was far too easy to fall for. I couldn't let myself though, because it would be a tumble I'd take alone.

"That's fine. One of my associates tracked down a safe deposit box in your grandfather's name. I need you to meet me at The First National Bank of the Pacific Northwest on First by Pike's Place Market. Can you be there in an hour?"

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