Page 4 of Belle Amour

“What do you mean no?” Eddie almost tripped over himself as he switched to angry and started to get in her face. Knowing Bastian was on his way and it would take him less than fifteen minutes to get to her condo, she held her ground.

“I asked you if I needed to be concerned about Casey, and you said no. I asked you to step back from her, not cut her off, just step back because I was uncomfortable, and you told me I had to get over it and deal with your friendship.” Mirabelle folded her arms and glared at him. “But when you wanted me to spend less time with Bast, I did. I told him I couldn't work overtime unless there was an upcoming court case. I stepped back and told him we needed some distance because you were uncomfortable and because I loved and respected you enough to do it.”

“So, to that end, when it comes to Bastian handling the divorce and what you're now going through, I suggest you get over it and deal with it. You're the one who decided to have a year-long affair, not me. You should have just asked for a divorce before you fucked her. I would have given it to you, no questions, none of this bullshit.”

“I didn’t want a divorce!” He burst out, his face going red. “I wanted to stop; she wouldn’t let me!”

Mirabelle scoffed, rolling her eyes. “First, the minute you put your lips on her, our marriage was over, you know I don’t tolerate that shit. Second, you fucked her for a whole year! And third, you’re a goddamn grown-ass man! You didn’t need her permission to stop!”

“It wasn’t that easy, she was going to tell you…” Mirabelle stared at him in disbelief, and he trailed off, looking sheepish.

“She blackmailed you into continuing your affair by threatening to tell me?” she laughed dryly. “Jesus, you must have put a lot more effort into fucking her than you ever did for me.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Eddie looked like she had just insulted every one of his ancestors and their cows. She opened her mouth to respond, but Bastian’s deep voice cut through the lobby as he came storming up to them.

“You were told not to contact my client!”

“Relax, Avery. She agreed to talk...” Eddie trailed off again as he looked back at Mirabelle. “You bitch.” Mirabelle smirked as Bastian stopped beside her andstood so he was just slightly in front of her protectively.

“My client did what I instructed her to do if you showed up at her home looking to talk to her again. Message me and keep you talking until I got here.” Bastain handed him the envelope with the no-contact order.

“What's this?” Eddie opened the envelope gingerly, pulling out the papers and glancing at them. He almost looked hopeful, and Mirabelle figured he thought she might have signed over the house to him.

“A no-contact order. You and Miss Harrison are to stop all contact with Ms. Adrien immediately. You have been told numerous times to stop harassing her by her, me and thepolice, and you have continued to do so. Going forward, you'll be arrested should you decide to inflict your presence on her again.” Bastian looked at Mirabelle. “Go upstairs, Mira, I'll be up shortly.” Mirabelle nodded and got on the elevator.

Bastian

Bastain watched as Eddie read through the paperwork. It was taking everything in him not to grab him by the shirt collar and throw him into the street. He had never liked him and had no idea what Mirabelle saw in him. All he saw was a weak man who had no original thoughts of his own.

“I can't believe this.” He glared at Bastian. “Seriously? Mirabelle agreed to this?”

“Seriously.” Bastian snorted. “If you think I could convince Mira to do something she doesn’t want to do, you don’t know anything about her. Want to know what I can’t believe?” He didn’t give Eddie a chance to respond and continued talking. “I can't believe you're a lawyer and are struggling with the concept of only contacting someone through their lawyer when told to do so.”

Eddie’s face turned red, and his mouth opened and closed, then he scoffed and shook his head. “I know the only reason you're doing this is because you think she'll turn to you. I know you’re bitter she chose me over you.”

Bastian narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t bitter Mirabelle chose Eddie over him; he was pissed Mirabelle had to go through the heartbreak of her spouse cheating on her. He knew how devastating that was and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. “I’m doing this for Mirabelle because we've been friends since we were eight years old, and she deserves so much fucking better than you.”

Eddie crumpled the no-contact order in his fist, his eyes flashing angrily. “Fucking Prick.”

Bastian shrugged; he’d been called worse by better, and Eddie’s opinion of him meant nothing. “Yeah,” he chuckled. “I am.” He watched as Eddie stormed out of the building and got on the elevator. When he got up to Mirabelle's condo, he knocked and let himself in. “Are you okay?”

“I'm great. I got to say some stuff I wanted to say. Felt good.” Mirabelle walked over, smiling happily, and handed him a glass of the scotch he had kept there. “And thanks to you, I don't have to speak to him ever again.”

“Mira, it has been my absolute pleasure.” He raised his glass to her and took a sip, following her to the living room and sitting next to her on the couch.

“What would I do without you?” She rested her head on his shoulder, and he felt his whole body relax. She’d had this effect on him as long as he could remember, this instant calm. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

“Find another lawyer who wouldn't be as ruthless.” He grinned at her. “It's only another month, and this will all be over, Mira. They've set the final court date.”

“You just keep bringing me good news.” She snuggled into him and let out a relieved sigh. “I just want this to be over.”

Bastian gently squeezed her shoulders. “I also think the judge is going to agree to all our terms. He’s screwed Bunny, and he brought it all on himself. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, and then he shifted, an idea hitting him. “Hey, I was thinking, when this is done, we should head up to the cabin for a week. I think we could both use a break.”

“That would be incredible!” She pulled back a little and beamed up at him; then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What aren't you telling me? Why do you need a break?” Bastian let outa low chuckle. She always saw right through him. He knew she would be just as unhappy about the other news he had gotten today as he was. He ran his free hand over his face and sighed in frustration.

“John wants to bring in another lawyer. The current front runner is Kelly.”

“As in his daughter Kelly? The one who tried to baby-trap you?” Mirabelle sat up straight and looked at him in disbelief. “The one he promised to keep away from you in return for not destroying her life?”

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