I recalled the envelope with the divorce papers that the police found in my truck. Albert retained copies before the police took the originals. “Did I tell you about the divorce papers?”
“Just before the shooting. You said Phillip hadn’t signed them.”
“That’s right.” I remembered what I wanted to speak to Albert about. “I remember Madison asking me to pretend to be Lip one more time. She said he couldn’t sign.”
“Whycouldn’the sign?”
A chill settled in my bones. “Fuck, Lena. I don’t know. I need to tell the detective that bit of information.”
“Shit. I’ll see you soon.”
The door to the office opened. I turned in time to see Julia enter. She was fucking perfect in every way. I couldn’t stop my smile as my gaze met hers. “Okay. I’ll tell the security that you’re on your way,” I said into the phone as I disconnected the call.
“Who is on their way?” Julia asked.
Exhaling, I shook my head and stepped close. Pushing the phone into the pocket of my jeans, I reached for Julia’s hands and anticipated the worst. “Lena.”
Julia’s neck straightened. “I thought you said she lives in Montana.”
“She does. She called and she’s a few hours away.”
Van
Julia nodded, taking a step back and wrapping her arms around her midsection. With a nod, she walked toward the windows. “I don’t know what to think.”
My mind was filled with the information from both Michael and Lena. “About what?”
Julia spun toward me. “I’ve never met an ex-lover of my fiancé.”
I scoffed, not because it was funny, but because it wasn’t. “I suppose Beth couldn’t be considered an ex.”
Julia nodded. “I stand corrected. What does Lena know about me?”
“That you’re the love of my life.”
Julia’s body visibly relaxed at my reply.
I went closer, wrapping my arms around her from behind as we both stared out at the snow-covered trees. “I’m being as honest as I can,” I said, my chin on the top of her head as she leaned against my chest. “Through the last twenty years, Lena has been the one constant. I told you about Logan, what he did to her and Madison?”
Julia nodded.
“Lena is tenacious, strong, and determined. In many ways, I see her qualities in you.” When Julia didn’t respond, I added, “There is nothing between the two of us except friendship and mutual respect for how far we’ve both come.”
Julia spun in my arms and looked up. “You said you had sex.”
“We did.”
“If I wasn’t in the picture, would you again?”
I shrugged.
Julia’s eyes opened wide.
“It was never about sex or love with Lena. We’ve turned to one another at times. That’s really all the physical connection ever was.”
Julia leaned her forehead to my chest. “I’m sorry. I never worried about fidelity and that backfired on me with Skylar. Now I feel that since I was burned, I can’t be naïve.”
“Until you,” I said, my timbre slowing as she lifted her gaze to mine, “I have only been completely honest with one person.”