“We need to get to the courthouse.” Gunner appears in the doorway of my office. “I tried Ms. Conrad’s cell again, sir, but it’s going straight to voicemail.”
I’ve tried it over and over again.
It started last night when she texted me to tell me that all flights out of Buffalo were grounded because of a band of thunderstorms that had rolled into the area.
I missed the text because I was in the middle of a dinner meeting with Trudy.
The text message I sent in reply was delivered but never read.
It was simple and to the point.
Dylan: I need you back here.
Worry settled over me when I woke at four thirty-five this morning and realized that she still hadn’t read the message.
If she’s in bed with Chet Richmond, I’ll fight until my dying breath to make her see that I’m the better choice.
I am the better choice.
I have always been the better choice for her. I wish to fuck I would have acted on that before she got into that car with Clark Dodson, or married Dr. Aron Steiner.
“I’ll call for an Uber.” Gunner’s gaze drops to his phone. “I got you a coffee from Palla on Fifth, sir. Is there anything else you need?”
Eden. I need Eden more than I need my next breath.
“Ms. Conrad will be at the courthouse,” Gunner offers as if he’s read my mind. “Let’s head over there now.”
He doesn’t need to tag along, but I’m not going to protest.
I need the company.
Rising from my chair, I nod.
Gunner rushes toward me, his hands moving in the air in front of him. “Let me fix your tie, sir. It’s crooked.”
I let him have at it as I stare past him to the open door of my office.
“That’s perfect.” He pats my shoulder.
I follow him out of my office.
All I have to do is keep it together in court. After that, I can wrap the woman I love in my arms and never let her go.
***
Sitting next to Trudy in the courtroom, I stare down at the watch on my wrist.
Eden has less than five minutes to get here.
The table where she should already be seated next to Troy is vacant.
“Maybe Troy has finally realized that he can’t win this.” Trudy laughs. “You’re the big bad wolf. You scared them both away.”
Her hand lands on my bicep. She squeezes it through my suit jacket.
I jerk my arm away. “What the hell, Trudy?”
Her eyes widen to saucers. She leans closer to me, dropping her voice to a whisper. “What? I know what you’re about. I’ve seen you at Veil East enough times to know what you like.”