Page 83 of The B!tch List

Tate smiled. “This is a huge change from the guy who sat nervously on a plane to Wichita hoping to god he wasn’t going to be a dad.”

I shrugged. “I know, but she’s kind of cute, you know. She has a way of getting you to fall in love with her.”

“As it should be, Shaw. Exactly as it should be.” He picked up his glasses and put them on to read through another paper in front of him. “You’ll be meeting a Mrs. Shelby and a Mr. Alexander. I don’t think you need me there; it might look a little too hostile.”

“Yep, I agree.”

“Excellent.” He then took another file and opened it up. “The other thing I needed to touch base about was the custody hearing for Mrs. Ranger.”

I blinked, having totally forgotten that it was a place of work and Tate wasn’t just my personal lawyer.

“It looks like we’re going to need Nancy’s testimony,” Tate said giving me a thin-lipped smile. “The father has brought in some child psychologist to testify that the kids, especially Eddie have suffered some form of PTSD while living with the mother.”

“That’s bullshit. Nancy told me the kid was only ever miserable when his dad picked him up.”

“I know. He’s throwing money at it, or rather his mommy’s money. I’m pretty sure she’s the driving force behind the case.”

“Asshole.”

“Exactly. The point is we need Nancy, so after the meeting with Child Services tomorrow I want you to concentrate on prepping her. Is that okay?”

It wasn’t an ideal way to spend time with Nancy, but it was a way. She wouldn’t be able to say no because it was for Eddie and Molly Ranger after all. Call me a dick, but I was going to use that time to persuade her to give me another chance. I was going to prove to her that I really did want her for her and not to be a mother to my daughter. Although, that was a thought that kind of excited me.

“Is it okay, Shaw?” Tate asked.

“Absolutely,” I replied. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Disappointment is a strange thing. It can range from, meh that was shit, to damnit I want to cry for weeks. The disappointment that I was feeling in Shaw was definitely at the higher end of the scale. It was hurtful to think that he might have considered wanting a relationship with me just to get custody of his daughter. I knew we’d had sex way before Tia arrived in his life, but it was no coincidence that he started to get interested in something more after her arrival.

I’d been a fool to think it was anything more. I’d wanted it and must have been blind. Well thank goodness he told me before I let him near me with that pretty penis of his. Even having the keys to the bank wasn’t cheering me up from my misery.

“I think Don Jennings felt bad for messing you around,” Belinda said as we stood in the middle of the main room and looked around. “Because you know it’s not usual to have the keys before the deal has gone through.”

“It’s a cash sale and Mr. Jackson sent him the letter of intent and the proof of funds as my financial advisor.”

Belinda grinned. “That was a great idea, sugar. This isn’t Jim’s first rodeo. I knew he’d do the right thing for you.”

I’d agreed a couple of days ago to have Jim, Shaw’s dad, be my financial advisor. I was now second guessing that decision since my conversation with his son the night before. This was business though and I wouldn’t like the small matter of a dented heart spoil it.

“Whatcha going to do first?” Belinda asked, her eyes full of the excitement that I was sadly lacking.

“I need to get my apartment up for sale actually,” I replied. “Is there a chance you can come over later and get the ball rolling?”

“Sure sugar. I have a two pm, but I can be with you by four. Does that fit in with you?”

I nodded, glad that I was finally getting things started. “The apartment here is good as is, so once the money is wired over and the contracts signed, I can move in. Will that make it easier for you to sell? It being empty.”

“I won’t make much difference. To be honest though,” she said leaning in close. “I already have someone who I think might be interested. It’s a much sought-after complex with the younger people in town.”

“That’s great news. Thank you, Belinda, I really appreciate everything that you’ve done on this.”

I took out a notebook and tape measure from my bag, so I’d be ready to order furniture and equipment. I wasn’t going to do anything until everything was finalized, but at least I’d have all the measurements. I didn’t have a lot of money for that sort of thing anyway, not until I sold my apartment. It just felt a wasted opportunity to stand there and look around without doing anything productive.

“You want me to stay and help you?” Belinda asked.

“Not really.” Then something struck me. “Are you okay leaving me here when I don’t officially own it.”

She waved a hand at me. “Oh, sure. It’s not like you’re going to take vacant possession.” She looked at me wide-eyed and laughed. “Are you?”

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