Page 88 of Legal

“And?”

“And she kicked me out.”

“Shit, Mike. I’m sorry. But it’s your place. Shouldn’t she be the one to leave?”

“She doesn’t have anywhere else to go right now.” He put his feet on the table, then quickly removed them.

“Well, neither do you. I suppose you could stay in your office, but that—” The look on his face stopped me short. “No, Mike. Do not even think about it.”

He raked his hands through his hair. “It’d just be for a couple days, a week tops—”

“No.”

“You wouldn’t even know I’m here. I’ll be working most of the—”

“No.”

“I’ll take the guest room and won’t bother you and—”

“No.”

He smiled sheepishly. “In a way, this is kind of your fault.”

“What?”

“Come on, Jillian. Hear me out, okay?”

I lost count of how many times I blinked. “How is any of this even remotely my fault?”

“Well.” He clicked off the TV. “You did encourage me to talk to her.”

“Because it was the decent thing to do, Mike.”

God, I just wanted to go to bed. I nestled up on the couch, folding my arms around me. What kind of bullshit was this?

“You’re right, I know. I shouldn’t have said it was your fault. She just needs a break, that’s all. She’ll come around soon, I promise. It’ll all blow over, and I’ll be back there in no time. Like I said, a couple days, a week tops. Please, Jillian.”

“How can you think this is a good idea? If she finds out you’re staying here, she won’t even want you back.”

“Let me worry about that.” I was so taken aback by his bizarre request that I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. “Are you hesitant because of that kid you’re messing around with?”

“No, I’m hesitant because it’s fucking crazy!”

I really needed some rest soon. I covered my eyes with my palms and shook my head, starting to get a headache.

“Jillian, please. I’m practically begging you here. It’s really not that big of a thing. It’s not like we haven’t lived together most of our lives. I won’t get in your way, I’ll be at the office most of the time, I’ll clean up after myself”—I snorted at that one—“and I’ll be really grateful. We’ve been through a lot together, and I’m just asking you this one little favor. And besides, when Daniel calls, he’ll be able to talk to both of us at once.”

I stood up. “Guest room. One week tops.” I couldn’t even believe I was agreeing to this, but he did have some valid points. It wouldn’t kill me to help out my son’s father for a week.

“Yes.” He jumped up. “I’ll get it all smoothed over with Candace by then. Promise. Thank you, Jillian.”

“You’re welcome. I’m going to bed.”

“Okay. I just need to run home and grab my things. She’s not there right now, so it’ll be a quick in and out. I’ll use my garage door opener to let myself back in, but tomorrow I’ll need that key back.”

A rush of air sailed through my teeth. This would not kill me, I reminded myself. I was getting a temporary roommate for a week. Hardly a big deal. It wasn’t like I had to worry what Chase would think.

Nope, Chase was no longer a factor at all.

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