Page 19 of Attorney Privilege
“I’m going to miss all of you,” I say, a sob getting stuck in my throat.
I hug each one goodbye, not caring if it makes me late and pisses my mother off. Soon I won’t be her responsibility, but these people matter. They all had a hand in raising me and took care of me more than she ever did.
When I’m finished, Charlie opens the passenger door for me, and I slip inside. He knows I don’t like sitting in the back when it’s the two of us. When he gets into the driver's seat, he hands me his phone.
"There’s someone named Gideon that’s been trying to reach you,” he says, and there’s a little smirk at the corner of his mouth.
“Really?” I grab the phone so quickly it makes him laugh.
“Yeah, really,” he says, then points to the number as he pulls out of the driveway.
“Thank you, Charlie.” Suddenly there’s a small light peeking through the darkness ahead.
Gideon’s been trying to get in contact with me. That has to mean something, right? Since I ran out of his office, an ache has formed in my heart. Missing him has been painful, and I worry that it will turn to sorrow and consume me whole.
Chapter Twelve
GIDEON
The phone rings in my hand, and it barely finishes before I answer it. “Emerson?”
“Gideon, this is risky.” It sounds like she’s in the car, and I’m guessing her driver Charlie is with her.
“I need to see you.” I’m running out of time, and there’s no need to pretend I don’t want her.
“I can’t. I’m having dinner at the wedding hotel tonight with our families, and him.” She says the word him softly, but we both know she means Conner.
“Where?” I squeeze the phone tighter in my hand.
She hesitates and then lets out a long breath. “Maybe it’s not a good idea for us to see each other again.”
“Where?” I say again, this time with a demand behind it.
“The Crowned Saint on Fourth Street,” I hear Charlie say in the background.
“Charlie,” Emerson hisses at him before coming back to me. “Gideon, please. What happened between us was a mistake.”
The words are like a knife to my heart. “You’re lying.” I close my eyes and force myself to breathe. “If you don’t want me, Emerson, then say it. But don’t you dare say what we did was a mistake. Not when that was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
“One of the greatest?” The question comes out quietly.
“After meeting you,” I say, my heart beating faster. “And kissing you in the dressing room.”
“Gideon.”
“Every moment I’m with you is the greatest,” I tell her. “But don’t lie to me and don’t lie to yourself. I know that you’ve had to protect your heart all these years by keeping things from your family, but I’m not them. I’m not trying to make you trade one cage for another, Emerson. I’m trying to set you free.”
There’s a long pause on the other end, and I wish I could see her face, read her expression.
“This is the last time,” she finally says, and I grin.
“If that’s what you have to tell yourself.”
“We’re here, Emerson,” Charlie says in the background.
“I’ve got to go,” Emerson tells me.
“I’ll find you, precious girl.” That’s all I say before I end the call.
