Jules gathered her hair into a ponytail and then carefully twisted it into submission at the back of her head. She should have been freaked out about the mediation—she was due there in an hour—but instead all she could think about was Danny and how he’d decided he wanted his fucked-up family over them.
She knew what she wanted now, but he was gone.
She also knew she was in love with him. She shook her head. If only she’d realized that sooner. Not that she thought it would have swayed him.
Didier was going to gloat when she told him he was right.
Going to her closet, she took out something to wear. She’d had it picked out earlier (how you dressed was important) but she’d taken it to the hotel, having planned on getting ready there. She finished getting herself together, checked her files to make sure everything was in order, and then looked at her phone.
No message from Danny. But he was probably on a plane by now.
Therewasa text from Louisa though.
Louisa
Love always wins.
Did it? She bit her lip, hoping Louisa was right.
The car Moira had arranged to pick her up was on time. It dropped her off right in front of the courthouse. She walked into the building, projecting confidence. She knew what she’d look like if she saw her reflection—understatedly expensive in her Armani pantsuit, hair contained, her face a calm mask, her hands loose.
On the inside, she felt sad and disappointed.
At least she didn’t feel like puking, she told herself.
She took the elevator up to the third floor and walked down the hall to the appointed conference room. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
It was anticlimactic, because no one was in there, not even her own client.
Frowning, she checked the time. They were due to start in ten.
Just as well.She picked her side and sat down to claim the space. Normally she would have focused on her case, going over files and making sure her arguments were in order. Today she sat there and stared out the hazy window, thinking about Danny.
It hadn’t quite sunk in that he was gone. She couldn’t believe that he’d choose people who didn’t care about him over her.
Not that she’d told him she loved him.
She winced. She had all the emotional intelligence of the Borg. She should have done that—she should have told him that she wanted him.
She wondered if it would have made a difference if she had.
Taking out her phone, she sent Louisa and Connor texts.
Jules
Thank you for being my family.
I love you.
Louisa replied instantly.
Louisa
What happened?
Jules
I opened my eyes and realized what was important in my life.