Chapter 18 - Jade: Options
I walked with Damien on the pavement as we sipped our coffees. We had been working on Ethan’s case for what felt like months. It was an easy win, but I wanted to avoid going to trial for any of this. So, I knew I needed to come with a strong case.
“So, Paul’s wife came barging through the reception and made a whole scene. The woman was like a bat straight out of hell. There was no calming her down.” His brown eyes glistened. “To be fair, Hannah is like sex on legs, and any man would be weak in the knees for her.”
I scoffed, “So, you would go weak in the knees for her, too?”
“Come now, J, you know I only have eyes for you.” He smirked.
I threw my head back and let out a boisterous laugh.
Sure, Damien and I had fooled around some, but it had been over a year since we had done anything. It was fun while it lasted, and we were luckily able to get out of it and remain good friends. But every so often, Damien would hint at giving it all another go.
With each time he tried, I would turn him down. I didn’t want a boyfriend, much less now. My emotions were still all over the place, and my life was a mess.
Ethan and I were barely speaking. When we did speak, it was about the trial and nothing more than that. I hated how our relationship had essentially disintegrated into nothingness. He was my brother, but now when he looked at me, I just saw nothing.
I wanted us to heal, but I didn’t know what I was going to do. I still hadn’t opened my mother’s letter. It had been a week since I had received it. It was at the bottom of my suitcase under all my clothes.
“Jade?”
I snapped out of my reverie and looked to Damien. Concern was etched on his face.
“Sorry. Got into my head a little bit there.”
“It’s fine, but are you okay? I know it hasn’t been the easiest of weeks for you, what with your mom and everything.”
I nodded. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t press me. This was one of the many reasons I liked Damien. He never pressed me or pushed me to say or do anything I didn’t want to.
I wasn’t ready to talk about my mother with anyone, not until I read her letter. I just knew that, right now, I wasn’t strong enough to read it. I needed some time to wrap my head around everything.
“You know I’m here for you right?” Damien pulled me against his side and kissed the side of my head.
“I know.” I smiled appreciatively. “That is why you are one of my best friends.”
“Does that mean I passed Tash?”
I laughed softly. “Slow your roll there, buddy. Tash is my life partner. No one is above her.”
“Speaking of, how are the maid of honor duties going?”
“They are static right now because I’m here and she is in New York, but I will resume once I get back.”
“When are you heading back? If you are heading back this week, I can push back my ticket and we can go back together.”
I shook my head. “I think I will be here for another two weeks. I have some unfinished business that needs settling.’
I was talking about Ethan. There was no way I could go home with us being like this. We were essentially strangers now, and I hated it.
“Just promise me you will come home, and you won’t get trapped here.” He grimaced. “I mean, it’s a cute little town, but it’s just not your vibe.”
Once upon a time, it had been but then everything had unfolded, and then nothing was ever the same again.
“You hungry?” Damien gestured to the Willow Tree restaurant.
It was almost sunset, and Damien and I had been working on the case since morning. I had barely eaten breakfast and had skipped lunch. I had been surviving on coffee and water for the better part of the day.