by Claire Adams
“I had dinner with a friend. I saw that you called and hoped you wanted to talk.”
“You could have called; it would have saved you the trouble.” She smelled of perfume and wine, and her hair was down the same as the night I’d taken her to dinner. “Who’s the friend?” I dragged to my feet, certain I smelled like the bottles piled around me and looked even worse.
“Does it matter?” She shrugged and met my eyes; her chin lifted as if to challenge me.
“No, it’s not like you’d tell me truth, anyway; but I can guess.” I turned and staggered a bit, trying to get around the coffee table. She sat forward as if she could catch me if I fell. I jerked my head in her direction and dared her to move. The I don’t need your help glare kept her ass in her chair.
I walked across the room to where mother kept her favorite decanter and poured myself a shot of bourbon. “I guess the good doctor didn’t make a house call, or did you run right over here after he left?” I downed half the drink and swirled the rest in my glass.
“It was only dinner between friends. He knows-”
I threw the glass against the closest wall and spun around to find her standing.
“He knows I’m in love with you,” she shouted, her voice strong and demanding. “If you’re going to let your temper get out of control, I’m leaving.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly as she stepped closer to the door, but all I could hear were her words playing over and over in my mind. There was an I love you in there. I could have sworn I’d heard it.
I wanted to remind her that I didn’t invite her over and show her to the door, but instead, I needed her to say it again. “What did you say? Not the shit about my temper, the rest of it.”
“I said he knows that I love you.” Her eyes filled with tears. I wanted so badly to believe her.
“How am I supposed to know? How can I ever trust a thing that comes out of your mouth? You could have told me who you were, Lexa.”
“Would you have wanted me around? Would you have fallen in love with me?” Her voice rose, and her face was so red with anger, so wet with tears, that I wanted to ease her pain. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
She stepped forward and leaned against the sofa as she could fall to the floor at any moment. “Did you even notice who’s side I was on?” I closed my eyes, remembering her in that courtroom. She could have gone to the other side and been with her parents, but she had come to stand with me.
“I tried to talk them out of it,” she continued. “I even threatened to disown them, but I couldn’t tell them why. I was in the middle, and I know I made a stupid mistake, and I’m sorry.” She dropped her chin and stared at the floor. “I had really hoped you’d called me over here. I’ll go.” She stepped away from the sofa, but I was already on my way across the room.
She flinched away as I approached and that made me feel like a real asshole. “Come here, Lexa.” She closed the distance between us, still looking to the floor as if unsure she could look at me without crying.
I lifted her chin and closed my hands around her face. She made no move to stop me, but she kept her eyes closed and braced herself, her eyes pinched tight and her shoulders stiff. But as soon as my lips found hers, she melted against me, her tears splashing my face until our kisses were salty. I pulled away and stroked her cheek, making hushing noises, then I pulled her in tight and nestled my face against her hair.
“I’m sorry, Aiden.” Her voice cracked as she choked out the apology, and I hushed her again with a kiss.
“No more of that. It’s done for now. We’ll work on everything later.” My head was pounding, and I was still buzzed. I’d been out for hours and realized I had no idea what time it even was. I glanced up at the clock on the mantle as she brought her hand up to cover a yawn.
“It’s almost four in the morning. You’ve been here a while, haven’t you?” She nodded, and I realized she’d told me that maid had let her in. “What time did Mattie leave?”
“She’s been gone for hours. I got here just after ten.” I was passed out long before that.
“Mattie,” I said with a laugh. “She’s the one who called you. I’d bet the house on it.”
“Come to think of it, she wasn’t surprised to see me, and she left as soon as I got here.” We shared a laugh as she yawned again.
“Well, it’s too late for you to go home and I’m not quite sober yet, though this throbbing hangover headache is making itself known.”
“Ah, well, it seems like you need a nurse.” She met my eyes, hers still a little unsure.
“Yeah, I’m certain I do.” I pulled her in for another soft kiss, and then she pulled away too soon.
“You head up to bed, and I’ll get you something for that headache. Where’s the medicine chest?” She stepped away, but I pulled her back to my side and headed to the stairs.
“There are a few things in my nightstand drawer that might come in handy.” She gave me a warm smile and helped me up the stairs and to my bed. After she insisted I take a dose for my headache, I pulled her down beside me and curled her in close.
I didn’t want to talk about anything else. We had time for that later, and despite the fact that I was worn out, she fell asleep a good twenty minutes before I did, cradled in my arms, and breathing nice and steady. I closed my eyes and let the rest of the night drift away, content that when I woke, it wouldn’t have all been a dream.
The next morning, Lexa’s arm fell across my chest as her leg locked around mine, stirring me from sleep. She had me pinned, and she wasn’t even awake yet.
I kissed her forehead and headed to the bathroom, but when I returned Mattie was at my door.
“Your phone. It was in the kitchen all night. Someone’s been calling, looked like it might be important.” I crossed the room and looked at the screen to see Layne’s name.
“Thanks. It’s Layne — and funny thing that my phone was in the kitchen. Wonder how it got there?” I threw a glance to my sleeping beauty, and Mattie smiled, but her face turned red with guilt as she saw my accusing gaze upon her.
“Sometimes those stubborn roots need a little help.” She lifted her chin and walked away, closing the door behind her.
I sat on the end of the bed, and Lexa rolled over, rubbing her eyes. “I told you I got a call; guess it was Mattie, after all.”
“Yeah, remind me to give her a raise. Did you sleep well?” I patted her foot through the covers.
“Like a baby, for the time since…” She didn’t have to tell me since when; I knew exactly when she’d stopped sleeping. It was the same time I’d stopped any sleep that wasn’t liquor induced, but passing out didn’t count.
“Want to stay for breakfast or do you have a shift?”
“It’s my three day weekend, so yes, feed me please.” She stretched her arms over her head, and I thought about how easy it would be to pin her hands and make love to her. But then my phone rang again. Layne was being persistent.
I didn’t know if I should take the call in front of her or not, especially since I knew it could be about the lawsuit. I didn’t want there to be any awkwardness between us, but I didn’t want there to be any secrets, either. “My lawyer keeps calling. I should really call him back.” Her lazy smile faded, and she looked away.
“I can go downstairs.” I rose from the bed, but she sat up and got to her feet before I could reach the door.
“No. Wait, Aiden.” I stopped in my tracks, and she took my hand. “I’m still on your side.” Her eyes were sincere, and I realized there wasn’t any doubt about it. She might have lied about her name and who her parents were, but she was still my girl just the same.
I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her soft knuckles. “Then let’s see what this blowhard wants.” I sat on the bed and returned the call.
Layne answered the phone with his usual level of pleasantness. “It’s about damned time you woke up.”
“Good morning to you, too, Layne; you’re on speaker phone, so mind
your manners.” I thought it only fair to warn him. His tone changed immediately.
“I’ve been trying to reach you because there’s been a development in the Patterson case.” Lexa and I exchanged a glance.
“So, what is it?” Lexa clasped her hands at her chest as worry crossed her face.
“I need you to come down.” His tone wasn’t giving away anything.
“Okay. We’re on our way.” I hung up the phone, and her eyes widened.
“You want me to come along?” She got to her feet as I ran to the closet for a change of clothes.
“Yes, and I would take the time to shower, but we’d be here all day.” She stood there watching her in her bra and panties, and it seemed like a shame we didn’t have time to get properly naked. “You better get some clothes on; you can’t go there like that that.” I let my eyes take in as much of her as I could while she threw on her clothes, and then we headed out to meet Layne.
Together.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lexa
Aiden and I were dressed and out the door in less than fifteen minutes, and that’s after me encouraging him to take a shower and going downstairs so he’d behave. I let Mattie know what was going on and thanked her for calling me. She had tried to deny it at first, but as I walked away, she mumbled a quiet you’re welcome.
Aiden insisted we take the Shelby and ran a few stop signs on the way out of his neighborhood. Not that you could call it a neighborhood; it wasn’t like he had anyone living close, but there were a few houses on the same street.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him, and he looked especially sexy behind the wheel of the car with a look of determination on his face. “What do you think’s going on?” I asked when we were about halfway there.
“I don’t know. It could be nothing. Layne’s known to be a bit dramatic. I’m going to pound his head if made me miss out on kinky shower time to tell me I need to sign a check.”
“Surely it’s more than that, but if it’s not, it’s ladies first in the bell ringing department.” That earned a laugh, and he reached across from the stick shift and rested his hand on my knee.
“You look beautiful.”
I glanced over, and he met my eyes for a moment until it was time to downshift and make a turn.
“I’m wearing last night’s clothes, and I’ve got a cowlick from lying against your sweaty arm.” I tried to smooth my hair back, but it was no use. I could feel the bump.
“I’ll take you to your house when we’re done, and you can get freshened up. I’m taking you to lunch, and then we have plans.”
“We do? What are we going to do?” I fluttered my lashes at him, and he nodded.
“Mhm, I’m going to kiss you a while, too.”
“Just kiss?” I lifted my chin and turned my eyes to the window.
“I said too.” Heat blossomed between my legs when he squeezed my knee.
“Easy, boy. We’ll have to take a detour.” We shared a laugh as he passed a sign that read Walker & Connor Attorneys At Law, and then he turned into a small parking garage that was still too big for one office alone. I realized that this building housed many others.
We parked in a space labeled for Mr. Walker, and I noticed Mr. Connor’s car was next to ours, a shiny black Stingray.
I met Aiden at the back of the Shelby, and he took my hand. I wondered what a sight we’d be walking in together, but I had no idea what kind of audience to expect. The office was crowded, and there were other names on doors and signs that I walked by too fast to read. Voices called out hello, Mr. Walker as we passed and Aiden nodded and said a few hellos of his own. I smiled, but knew I looked wild-eyed as we breezed through.
Finally, we came to a door, and he knocked. It opened, and the attorney I’d seen at the courthouse stood on the other side. His eyes widened, and his face paled as he stepped aside. He hadn’t expected to see me, and as I walked into his office, I hadn’t expected to see my parents.
They seemed equally shocked, and I got a sickening feeling as Aiden clenched my hand and pulled me closer. My mother’s eyes were wide, and she reached out and took my father’s arm as if it best to keep hold of something she knew was real.
“Alexandra.” My mother pulled her lips in tight and looked away, but my father shook his head and released a long breath.
“I know this comes as a shock, but you’re going to have to get over it. I love him, and we’re going to be together, settlement or not.” My father went to open his mouth, but I cut him off. “I love you both, but I’m going to do what I want to make myself happy for a change and-”
“I love your daughter. I mean, I’m aware that you hate me, but I’m hoping that once I’ve settled up, we can find a way to make the best of this and hopefully, you’ll accept me as part of Lexa’s life. I’m prepared to pay the judgment and assure you that as soon as my accountant gets things lined out, I’ll be back down to sign the papers. He said it should be sometime next week, but I assure you it’s coming.” Aiden’s tone was very demanding, but he kept his eyes focused straight on my parents.
A hush fell over the room as we waited for them to respond. My father sat up in his chair and straightened his belt, and my mother’s lips were pulled in so tight that she looked like she didn’t have a mouth. Then a giggle broke the silence, bubbling in her throat and tumbling from her mouth. The men in the room were all smiles, and Layne’s cheeks were so red with blush that he matched his crimson necktie.
Aiden and I exchanged a glance, and I was certain they had all gone crazy.
“What the hell is going on?” Aiden shook his head, and I tugged on his arm to keep him close.
My father leaned forward in his chair. “We came in to tell you that we’ve decided, with much prodding from our daughter, to decline the settlement.”
Aiden’s eyes narrowed, and he looked to his lawyer who nodded and straightened his tie, the face still matching as his bright smile beamed. “I wanted you to come down so they could tell you themselves and so you could sign the agreement. We’ll have to send it before the judge, of course.”
I dropped Aiden’s hand and stepped forward toward my parents. “You’re really not going to take the money?” The both shook their heads, and my mother took my hand.
“We didn’t think it was right in light of everything you told us. We’ve all suffered enough, and we didn’t want Mr. Walker to think we’d put you up to anything. We could tell how heartbroken you were.” She wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and I fell into her arms.
“Thank you.”
“We’re just so surprised to see you two together.” She smiled at Aiden, and I pulled away from her and fell against his side.
“I appreciate your gesture, but I’m going to have to insist you allow me to pay what the judge declared fair. I’m prepared to pay it, and I’d like to make things right. Shawn was a good guy, and I know my sister loved him. She would want me to do the right thing.”
My father raised a hand and shook his head. “I can’t allow it. I wouldn’t want any bad feelings between us with you and Lexa being involved.”
“I’d feel better about it,” Aiden argued.
I knew them both well enough to know they’d keep up the back and forth for hours if we stood by and let them, so I decided to make a suggestion that might work in both of our favors.
“I’ve got an idea.” I stepped between the most important men in my life and glanced back and forth to meet their eyes. “What if we started a foundation in memory of Shawn and Allison? We could take the settlement and do a fundraiser that would contribute to charities. That way the money would go to a good cause, and neither would profit.” I let out a long breath and waited for their reactions.
My mother’s voice broke the silence. “That’s a wonderful idea. Shawn would have loved it.”
“So would Ally. She had a generous heart.” Aiden’s lips curled up at the corners as he thought of his sister. But then his face grew serious. “I’d agree to that on one co
ndition.” He turned and took both of my hands. “If you’ll head up the foundation?” It took a moment to realize he meant me, but once it sank in, I knew I could do it.
“Of course. I might need a bit of legal help.” I glanced at Layne Connor who stepped forward.
“I’d be honored to help so there wouldn’t be any conflicts of interest. Pro bono, of course, to honor my dear friend’s daughter.”
I patted the man on the back as he shook Aiden’s hand. “Thanks, man.” Aiden glanced to my dad for his reaction and Dad held out his hand, and the two of them shook on it. As the lawyers discussed how to go about setting things up, Aiden walked to the window.
“What are you looking at?”
“That tree. See it there.” He lifted a finger and pointed to the corner of the building. It was a huge oak, strong and sturdy, its branches extending in all directions.
“It’s beautiful. It reminds me of the ones at your house, only a bit smaller.”
“That’s because it’s not that old. I planted it when I was a kid. You can see the top of Allison’s from my office.” I wondered what made him take a glance out at that tree, but figured it was a special memory of him and his sister.
“Mattie has been telling me about trees,” he continued, as if to answer my silent question. He shrugged and stepped away from the window as the others finished their conversation and Mr. Blanc excused himself from the room.
“I’m so happy you’re happy, Lexa.” Mom brushed my hair away from my face and tried to smooth down my cowlick. Her lip curled as she gave it a curious look. But then she caught my expression. “What?”
“You called me Lexa.” It wasn’t often that she did and when I heard it come from her mouth, I knew that things were okay between us.
As we walked out together, leaving Layne to figure out the next steps for setting up the foundation, Aiden put his arm around me. “I’d like to take the two of you out for dinner tonight with Lexa and me.”
Mom and Dad exchanged a glance, and then Dad gave him a pat on the back. “We’d like that very much. I know I’d like the chance to know you, and I hope we might earn a better impression from you.”