“Then why do you look like your daddy took your T-bird away?”
Monroe laughed at my joke before shaking his head. “Because I told him… no.”
Shock covered me, and I wondered if I heard him right. “But, why?” I sputtered. “I thought that’s what you’ve been wanting.”
“Yeah, I know. I woke up this morning wanting to punch myself, but I couldn’t put myself through it right now. There’s just too much at stake. I have to trust he’ll still be there when I’m ready this time, like all the times I waited for him.”
Nodding, I grabbed his hand, trying to comfort him. He returned it, and I figured it was the perfect time to dive into it all.
“Would you like some wine? We can sit on the couch and talk.”
“Yeah, that sounds nice.”
Pouring us both some, I handed him his glass, and we walked over to the couch, both getting comfortable. I watched as Monroe took a sip and then placed it on the coffee table.
“I don’t know how much detail you’re wanting or where to even start since it’s all a jumbled mess in my head. But I can tell you what’s going on now.”
“Of course.”
He rubbed the back of his head before turning toward me and lacing his fingers with my free one. “I’m working with another lawyer friend of mine to have the judge removed for conflict of interest, and I’ve also built my case against Brittni. I’m waiting to hear if I can get the hearing moved up. They’d set it out originally for six months, and I’ve been attempting to get it sooner, but I keep hitting red tape. I’m just hoping I’ll hear something soon. I think I have enough info to at least convince someone I deserve partial custody. I don’t know if I could take her rights away completely.”
“That’s a tough decision to make, and I’m hoping you do hear something soon. Is there anything I can do?”
“Just be you.” He beamed before sighing again. “Nothing in this case has been handled correctly, so at the least, I should be able to get his ruling reversed. There’s no way she’d be able to get anyone else to believe her. The hard part, though, is that the damage is already done. I’ve missed two months of Levi’s life and been estranged from the people I care about, believing it was easier, or perhaps better, to push you away.”
“All we can do is move forward, Monroe. Regrets have a tendency to weigh you down just as much as fear, if you’re not careful.”
“You know, I keep expecting you to be angrier at me.”
Laughing, I took a sip of the wine before setting it next to his. “I was angry at first. But once I thought it through, I couldn’t fault you. I just missed you a lot.”
Monroe moved closer, sliding his hand into my hair as he brought our faces together. “I missed you so much, Loren. And I know I’ve already said this, but I am sorry.”
“Then show me.” It was a whispered plea, but he understood my meaning, sealing his lips to mine.
Monroe’s fingers tangled more in my hair, pulling me toward him. His other hand slid up my leg, and I yearned to be closer. His kiss was both sweet and passionate, our tongues caressing one another in a tangle. My body begged to touch his, to rock against him, and I wanted to explore that.
A laugh down the hall reminded me we weren’t alone, and I pulled back, our breathing heavy. Fluttering open my eyes, I took in his flushed cheeks and smiled, liking I affected him as much as he did me.
“May I make a suggestion?”
“Please, do,” he hummed as he started kissing down my neck, and I knew I needed to stop this before it went too far.
“Perhaps it would be better if we relocated to either my bedroom or even your apartment?”
“I like the way you think. Come on.”
He pulled my hand, dragging me down the hall, but I stopped him before we got to the door. “One second.”
Jogging, I knocked on Jude’s door and waited for him to call out before opening it. “Come in.”
Inching it open, I stuck my head in, trying to find the words to not make this creepy. “Just wanted to let you know I’m going across the hall. Text me if you need anything, but I’m assuming you’ll be fine.”
“I don’t want to know.”
Rolling my eyes, I shut the door, trying not to laugh. There were moments where I felt like his mom, but most of the time, I found myself falling into the big sister role, our banter playful and fun, and I loved it. Walking back down the hall, I found Monroe leaning against the wall, his sexy confidence oozing out of him.
“God, you’re gorgeous.”