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“Is there something wrong with her?” I tip my head back, confused.

“Not exactly. We dated a few years back.”

“Of course you did.” I nod, tossing my unfinished coffee into the same trash can Max had.

“Whatever, man.” Max holds his hands up. “Anyway, she’s a spitfire. Intelligent woman, gorgeous, not to mention great in bed.”

“What happened with you two?”

“We were two sides of the same coin. Candace took her career as seriously as I did. She lived and breathed for her work. Eventually, our relationship exploded and then dissolved. I hope Lena can handle her.”

“I’ve been working for you for a year and I’ve survived. I’m sure Lena can do the same.” I laugh, continuing our walk.

We’re already back on the other side of the park, completing our circle. We’ve almost made our way back, heading in the direction of the restaurant just in time to open for lunch.

“Speaking of which, are you all set for our meeting with Gavin tomorrow.”

“I am.” I nod. “I have all the menu options typed up and the drink menu as well. I prepared a separate list to account for how many bottles of liquor and beer we’ll need as well.”

“Great.” Max smiles, clearly excited for this opportunity to work with Gavin again. Gavin had said there were at least five hundred people on the guest list and RSVP’s were due by the end of the week. Max suggested it could be potentially more than the five hundred Gavin stated. We were set to finalize the official count by the end of the week.

Once we make it to the front door of the restaurant, Max slides his key in the handle, then turns to me. “Tell Lena I said congratulations on the new job... and good luck.” He smirks.

I roll my eyes and leave Max at the door, ready to get back to Lena. It felt good to talk to Max even if I didn’t fill him in on what happened with Natalie. My focus was on my wife, savoring the new turn our life was taking.

We were on the edge of happiness and I was ready to dive in.

Seventeen

Lena

For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m truly happy.

Working for Candace is a dream, one I never thought I’d have in a million years.

The first two days, I spent in my office in Tacoma. Candace’s secretary, Joan, had set up my desk with all the supplies I would need then walked me through the entire floor, introducing me to each department.

Joan was bubbly and bright, a breath of fresh air. Her bright red hair was tied high into a bun and the color of her outfits were loud, the opposite of what you’d typically see in a corporate law firm. In a way, Joan reminded me of what Abby would look like in twenty years.

The other three days of the week, I spent at home. Logan had finished my shed, turning it into a small office, one where I could work for the law firm on the days I wasn’t in Tacoma.

It’s been one whole month since he’s finished the shed and I’d only finally brought myself to use it this past week. The solitude of the small one hundred square foot office was too much in the beginning. I was afraid of being alone and too far from the safety of the house. The house had become a security blanket to me after changing the security code on our system.

It’s been five weeks since my last email from Julian and the day he broke into our house. I still didn’t understand why or the reason behind it, but as the days have passed with no contact, it’s faded from my mind. I was starting a new chapter in my life and in my marriage.

“Have a good weekend, Lena.” Candace stands in the doorway to my office, just as I’m finishing organizing a stack of files on my desk. Her large black leather bag is hanging off her shoulder, her hand wrapped around the strap. She points to me. “Don’t forget, I’m going to need those mock-ups on Monday.”

“Of course.” I smile, stuffing the files into the drawer on the side of my desk. I usually didn’t work Fridays, but Candace asked if I could come in to prepare for the next week of meetings. I didn’t mind. We were finally able to set up our marketing team and I needed to prepare to deliver my new plan.

“Great,” Candace says, flicking her wrist to read the time on her watch. “I have to go now if I’m wanting to make it to my stylist on time to get ready for tonight.”

“What’s going on tonight?” Candace was a fierce lawyer. Her angled eyebrows and firm voice could inject fear into any prosecutor she stood up against. But there was a kindness under her tough exterior. One I was learning she only shared with a select few. Me and Joan being the select few.

“I have a fundraiser gala for one of the architects out in Seattle.”

“You mean, Gavin James, the architect?” My eyebrows shoot up across my forehead.

“Yeah,” Candace says, grinning. “He’s a friend of mine. You know him?”

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