Page 9 of Unconditionally With Me
“Erik wouldn’t dare contest the will when he just inherited close to fifty million dollars. He wouldn’t risk it,” I say flatly.
“Holy crap.” And I know exactly what’s going through her mind.Why do the assholes in this world keep getting rewarded for their scheming behavior when honest, hardworking people struggle?
“I’m honored she left me anything, T. It could have been a letter, a piece of jewelry, and it would have meant as much.”
“I know, Elle. But that’s because it’s who you are.”
Her words fill my heart up even as my stomach churns. “Though I can’t say becoming owner of a piece of real estate is a consolation prize,” I admit.
“Right? What part of the city is it in? Do you know that at least?”
God, I wish we were anywhere but here when I told her this. “Capitol Hill.”
She frowns. “I don’t know that area of this city. Is it on the other side of the Hudson? Jersey?”
This is going to be bad, so bad. I feel bile rising in my throat, but I manage to push the words out. “No. It’s not far from the Market.”
“Which market?” she asks impatiently, leaning forward.
“Pike Place Market,” I whisper.
Trina’s chair literally falls out from beneath her. “Seattle? You just inherited a building in Seattle?”
Relieved to have it out, I say, “Yes.”
“What are you going to do? Sell it?”
“I don’t know.” My fingers knot together. She asked me the multimillion-dollar question I’ve been pondering since I got the paperwork.
She scrambles to her feet. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“Just that.” I push to a standing position.
“Elle, does Julian know?” she asks slowly.
I bark out a rough laugh. “He’d have to have seen me for me to have told him.”
Her eyes round before she begins cursing. “This isn’t good.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. And trust me, it’s not exactly on the negative side when I think about keeping the building and moving.”
She stops cursing to glare at me. “Damnit, Elle. Don’t tell me you’re running away from your life and your relationship.”
I move to the door of her office. “I haven’t gone anywhere. Yet. I’ve been here the whole time, T. I’m just thinking about everything. Also, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Jonas about what we talked about today. I’ll tell Julian when the time’s right.”
“Is that before or after you’ve decided to move to Seattle?” Her voice is pure acid, likely because I just told her she can’t discuss anything with her husband.
“No, just until I see him.”
“Relationships go both ways, Elle. You’re the one who pushed me to communicate with Jonas,” she reminds me.
“True. But T, it’s been three years, and most of the time I still wonder if we’re going to have dinner. Julian’s different than Jonas. Jonas recognized his job was getting in the way of his relationship with you and did something about it. Maybe Julian doesn’t believe things need to change. Maybe I’m the one who needs to dig down deep and determine what I want and need out of my life.” I hear the words coming out of my mouth. I’m just not sure either of us believe them. I press on. “Either way, I have to head to Seattle next week to go see the lawyer. I have no idea what’s involved with this.”
And on those parting words, before she can respond, I leave her office to tell my staff what we need for tonight’s desserts. But I decide to make the bombe myself.
After all, I’ve already perfected delivering one today.
Chapter 4
