Page 63 of The Seal's Promise

The Wakeup Call

After spending thenight with Dalton under the stars, it was painfully and gloriously obvious that Brooke had fallen in love with her high school crush. The one she couldn’t have had come back to deliver on every fantasy she’d ever had, and exceeded all her desires. Dalton Hart could have her anywhere and anytime—something they proved over and over that night and morning before she had to get back to Max. Now, on Monday morning walking into May’s coffee shop, she was in a love daze. How had she let herself fall in love so fast and so stupidly with a man who wasn’t staying?

“It’s weird—you’re glowing and at the same time scowling,” May said as Brooke stopped at the coffee counter.

“I’m not scowling, I’m just thinking.”

“You do look like you’re annoyed about something,” Declan said before he lifted his mug to hide his smirk.

“I’m not annoyed, I’m just worried.”

They both stared at her. “You know, about the court date this week for child support,” she lied.

“That makes sense, but the oddsarein your favor,” Declan offered.

May’s eyes narrowed. “No, that’s not it. What’s really bothering you? You can tell us your deepest, darkest secrets.”

Declan nodded but started to back away. “I think I’ll let May handle this one. I can really only be trusted with your legal secrets.”

May laughed as Declan walked slowly away with his mug and sat at one of the small tables.

“I bet your lawyer knows just about everyone’s secrets in this town. I should really try to butter him up with free coffee and see what I can get out of him,” May said, focusing back on Brooke.

“What an odd thing to say. What makes you think I have any dark secrets?”

But that only made May squint her eyes as she studied her more. “What are you keeping from me?” But then something over Brooke’s shoulder caught her eye and her smirk turned into a sneer. “Hold that thought, we have incoming. Keep your cool.”

“Is this where you plot your next bogus lawsuit, like a modern-day limousine chaser?” Tyler asked, his voice dripping with judgment.

Brooke took a deep breath. “May, I definitely need mine to go.”

May nodded. “Just have a seat and I’ll bring it over,” she said, then raised her voice to get Declan’s attention. “As a private business owner am I entitled to turn down a customer?”

“Well, technically yes, you can refuse service to anyone as long as you’re not doing it based on their class, race, sex, etc.” Declan smiled.

“In that case, Tyler, I’m refusing to serve you anything in my coffee garden based on the fact that you’re a terrible person. And I’m requesting that you leave.” Tyler forced a smile but his face was turning red.

“You can’t refuse me service just because I’m rich and think your sister is a gold digger.”

“The fact that you don’t understand how idiotic you are or want to support your own blood is shocking and sad. But the main reason I refuse to serve you is because you’re also a dirtbag. Now please leave before I have to call the cops.”

“I don’t have to leave, and I’m not leaving until you make me a large coffee.”

“Actually, you do have to leave,” Deputy Sheriff Wesley Hart said from behind Tyler as he walked in for his morning coffee just in time. “And I would be happy to escort you if for some reason you’re physically unable to go.”

Brooke took her coffee and handed it to Tyler. “Just go. The worst thing is, it doesn’t have to be this way. We could have had a cordial existence, ignoring each other but coparenting Max. Or you could have stayed in Savannah and kept ignoring us, but you seem to want to fight.”

Tyler took the coffee and leaned forward. “I belong in this town more than you. I’m a Banks, we own this town and everyone in it. And you’re not getting a cent from me. You tried to trick me into staying married to you by getting pregnant, and now you’re using your son as a cash cow. Why would I ever be cordial to you?” Then he walked out of the small shop and everyone’s eyes turned to Brooke.

May moved first from around the counter. “That son of a—”

“Don’t say it—he’s Max’s father and my mistake. Maybe he has a point. I never bothered to file for child support until now, because I want the money.”

“No, he’s not right about anything, and you’re looking for support. Don’t let him make you feel bad about that.”

But Brooke felt like she’d just ran a marathon and her week was only starting. She knew it was too late to walk back her claim. Tyler was going to hate her no matter what, but she was starting to believe it wasn’t worth it.

“We have court in two days, so he’s just trying to get in your head and psych you out because he has no case,” Declan said. “Come have a seat while May fixes you another coffee.”

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