“She says she saw a text on Carter’s phone from a Felice. Do you know anything about this person?”
I heard him blow out a breath. Whenever he did that, I knew he for sure knew what was going on. “Fuck me. I told him to tell her,” I heard him mumble.
“You told him to tell her what?”
“Felice is his ex-girlfriend, if you could even call her that. She’s married now to Mike, the man who used to own the bar we hung out at when we were in school. They are looking to adopt a baby, and they needed a lawyer to look over the paperwork. Mike originally contacted the firm. Since Carter is the family law specialist, the case was handed to him.”
“Oh my God. So, it’s all a misunderstanding?”
“Yes, but so was most of the issues with their relationship from early on.”
“What should I do, Hunter? She’s really upset.”
“Listen, keep her there. Get her talking about something, and I’ll try to get a hold of my brother.”
“Okay, I’ll do my best,” I sighed into the phone. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too, baby, me too. I’ll be there before you know it—probably before you wake up Sunday morning. My flight is scheduled for late tomorrow night. Make sure Kaylee isn’t in our bed, and make sure you are naked.” I giggled.
“I love you,” I whispered into the phone.
“Love you too, beautiful.” I hung up the phone and headed back out into the living room. “Is everything okay?” she asked through tears.
“Yes, she’s been really fussy today. She was stirring when I went in, but she’s now sound asleep. Why don’t I make us some popcorn?”
“That would be great. Let me help, I’ll get the tea.” Hope got up, bringing over my now cold tea to the counter, and together we made tea and popcorn. I got Hope a pair of my pajama pants and one of Hunters T-shirts, and once she was changed, we settled onto the floor of the living room with blankets and pillows and put on HGTV.
“Why don’t you tell me the story of how you guys met?” I asked. I needed to get her talking, and if she shared that with me, I hoped maybe she would see how silly she was being.
She looked at me and smiled. “You have all night?” she asked, shoving a couple pieces of popcorn into her mouth.
“Well, Hunter won’t be back until early Sunday morning, and I’ve had nothing but conversations with a two-year-old lately, so yes, I have as much time as it takes.” We both started to laugh.
“All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. It started the night things ended between Trent and me...three years after Carter had left for university.”
Chapter Six
Hope
Thirteen Years Earlier
The movie droned on inthe background as Trent’s tongue danced over mine. His hands reached up my shirt, his fingers running over my breasts. I could feel his hardened ridge as he ground into me. His lips left mine and he continued kissing down my neck. As soon as his hand reached the button on my jeans, a funny feeling rose in the pit of my stomach.
“Trent, no, please,” I cried out, reaching down and placing my hand on his, stopping him from going any further.
He blew out a frustrated breath and raised himself off me, running his free hand through his hair.
“For fuck’s sake, Hope. We’ve been dating for almost three years and our engagement is going to be announced in two weeks. Are you ever going to let me in there? You’re tighter than Fort Knox.”
I couldn’t help it. Something didn’t feel right; I wasn’t ready. My mother always told me to wait and make sure I was with “the one.” I wished she had never instilled that in me; somehow, I felt it would have been easier. “I’m sorry, Trent, it’s just your roommates are right down the hall,” I whispered.
“Ah, so it would be better if we were in my room. You’re afraid of someone catching us?” He stood, adjusted himself, and held out his hand for me to take. He was a good-looking guy, with brown hair, brown eyes, and deeply tanned skin from spending the winter with his parents down south. He was set to take over his father’s multibillion-dollar company. Daddy said I would be silly to walk away from Trent, that I would be set for life, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure if being with Trent was a life I truly wanted for myself.
I looked at him, unsure of what to say. “It’s not that. I would just prefer that my first time, be, well, not in a shared apartment with three other guys.”
“Fuck, honestly, what are you so afraid of?”
I was a shy girl; I didn’t want anyone to hear us. I looked down to the floor, away from his piercing eyes.