Page 39 of Already At Risk
Fine.
It was going so much better than fine and so much worse than fine all at once.
Since the late night at my house, I’d gone into his office on one other occasion in preparation for the upcoming deposition. He’d been considerate with his words. Professional in his mannerisms and the distance he put between us. And absolutely destroying me with his eyes.
The way Cameron Bryant looked at me was something I couldn’t even comprehend or put into words, but it made my heart skip beats and my pulse thump in weird rhythms, and I wasseriously wondering if I should be making an appointment with my doctor. Or maybe just ask Delaney, who was also a cardiologist and likely more understanding than my brother.
Before I left Cameron’s office the last time, he’d asked what my plans were for the rest of the day. When I laughingly complained that I planned to spend it battling wordless IKEA instructions in order to build Chloe a new bookshelf, he offered to swing by to help me.
I should have said no, but I didn’t, bringing the total number of times that my lawyer had been to my house up to four.
As it turned out, building furniture was a lot more fun when you got to ogle hot men while you did it.
Just looking.
No touching.
Because we were both being good.
“Fine?” Noah repeated, and I finally tore my gaze away from the empty spot on the rink, looking over at him. We sat side by side in the bleachers that lined the ice. He was busy adjusting the hat on Delilah’s head, staring at his infant daughter with the dopiest look on his face. She was strapped to his chest, bundled in probably more layers than necessary for a fifty-five-degree ice rink, and her bright blue eyes blinked at him, a replica of his girlfriend’s. “You think the case is under control?”
I blew out a breath, wishing it felt just alittlemore under control.
I couldn’t lie; some of Cameron’s questioning had rattled me.
“As good as it can be, I think. Cameron’s been preparing me for the deposition, getting me ready for all the questions they’ll ask. I’ve gone through this before, but I feel more…unsure of the outcome.”
“There’s no way he’s going to get away with this, Nat.” Noah squeezed my knee. “It’s going to be okay. Cameron’s got your back.”
I nodded, agreeing with him on that. Cameron felt like the only reason I was getting through this right now.
My eyes drifted back to the rink to see Chloe skating by. Meanwhile, Gemma paced around the boards, looking a little frustrated she wasn’t out on the ice with my daughter.
“She’s not thinking about going back to work already, is she?” I asked, turning to Noah, who was staring intently at his soon-to-be fiancée.
“She wants to,” he said with a sigh. “And I get it, to an extent. Her leave began at the start of her third trimester because it wasn’t safe for her to be on the ice anymore, so she’s been away from the rink for a long time. But she’s only just started exercising onland, and I need her to take it easy. Like Ireallyneed her to take it easy.” He looked at Delilah, worry and adoration mixed in his eyes. “We need Mommy to be safe, don’t we?”
Delilah’s lips parted in what looked like a smile, though it was probably just a reflexive expression. Either way, it was adorable, and Noah grinned.
“She just wanted to stop by today,” he added. “Bring Delilah so she could meet everyone. But she’s not supposed to be returning to work for a few more weeks.”
“That’s good,” I said. “She should take her time. Take it easy.”
“Trust me, I’m trying to convince her of that.”
I gave him a pointed look and added, “She should take it easyeverywhere, Noah.”
“What do you—” He did a double take when he saw my raised brows, understanding dawning. His own brows pulled together as he scoffed. “Who the fuck do you think I am, Nat? Of course we’re taking it easyeverywhere. I’m so scared to cause her more pain after what she just went through, I’ve barely even touched her.”
“I mean.” I shook my head, surprised—but also not—at Noah’s strong reaction. “Don’tdepriveher, either,” I muttered.
“Fuck, can you stop?” Noah grumbled. He grabbed the bill of his hat, tossed it off, raked a hand through his hair, and then threw his hat back on his head again. “I do not need my big sister giving me advice about my sex life.”
“I’m sorry.” I put my hands up, knowing I was crossing lines. “I’m projecting, and I’m sorry. But I just know…” I sighed, leaning back and propping my elbows on the bleacher bench behind us. “Beyond my personal experience, I’ve seen at work what can happen when other men encourage it too soon after birth. That’s all I’ll say, okay? I’ll shut up now.”
As promised, I zipped my lips after that. And it fell quiet, too quiet, just the sound of skates cutting into ice echoing around the arena. Chancing a glance at Noah, I found him staring at me with a horrified look on his face.
I frowned. “What?”
