Listen to Your Heart
Page 21
“Distracted?”
“Richard was here marking the property line with the developer.”
“What!” she exclaimed. “I specifically told him to take the property off the market.”
“You did?”
“Of course I did. I’m transferring everything to you.”
“Oh.”
The disappointment in Steph’s voice tore through her, and she wanted to fall into her arms. First she needed to tell Steph all the good news she had. “I’m staying though. If you’re ready to rent out Dorothy’s half.”
“What about everything you have in Tennessee?” Steph hesitated again. “And Robin?”
Robin? How does Steph know about Robin? “What about Robin?”
“I met her tonight. Well, almost met her. I left before she came out.”
She was really confused. Why would Robin come here looking for her? It must have had something to do with the condo, but why wouldn’t she call first. “Robin was here?”
“No, when I got your message that you were leaving, I drove to Chattanooga to talk you into coming back. Robin was having a party at your condo.”
“What?” Robin was having a party? She shook her head. She didn’t care about Robin or her condo anymore. “I wasn’t leaving you. I didn’t leave you. I left Riverview because Ken had a heart attack, and I needed to check on him.”
Steph rubbed her face. “It seemed like you were still talking when the message cut off, but all I got was you were sorry you had to leave. It seemed pretty final.”
“And then you couldn’t reach me.” She slid her arms around Steph’s waist. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t believe you drove all the way to Chattanooga.”
“I couldn’t understand what had happened after we parted yesterday, and even Kathleen said you were happy when she talked to you. Then when Richard showed up…” Steph shrugged. “I kind of lost it. I wanted to see your face if you were telling me it was over.”
She silenced Steph’s words with a kiss, and Steph instantly deepened it. Jemini pulled her closer, savoring the connection that hadn’t been lost between them.
Steph pulled away and took a step backward. “What about Robin?”
“I was dating Robin, but I ended things with her on Friday before the cookout.” She held up her hand before Steph could ask more. “She’s going to buy my condo, and I told her she could move in. I just didn’t know she would do it today.”
“You’re selling your condo? What about your partnership?”
“I’m selling my condo, and I won’t be taking any new cases in Chattanooga. I’ll have to travel back and forth for a while, but after that you’ll be stuck with me.”
Jemini could see the happiness on Steph’s face before she pulled her close again.
Steph’s voice vibrated through her body as she buried her head in Steph’s neck.
“I’m happy to be stuck with you. I can’t believe how fast everything got so confused. From now on I’m going to make sure you have a phone charger in your car.”
“I should probably tell you that I’m bringing a woman with me when I move my practice here. Just so there’s no confusion—her name is Karen and she is my assistant. There is nothing between us and there never has been.”
Steph smiled. “I’m glad we cleared that up.”
“Me too.” Agnes’s voice drifted from the open window on the porch.
“Go to bed, Agnes,” Steph called.
“She’s finally home,” they heard Agnes say as she disappeared from the window.
Steph chuckled before leaning in for another kiss. “She’s been talking about you coming home for days now.”
“I feel like I’m home.”
“And I got my friend back.”
She leaned against Steph as they walked toward the cottage. Listening to her heart had never been so sweet.
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