When I got into my car, I noticed the envelope of legal papers she had delivered to me this afternoon sitting in the passenger seat. My heart squeezed hard in my chest.
I took the papers out, reviewing them again, trying to remind myself why I needed to avoid everything she represented.
But all I could think about was the dream I had where somebody else took her and my son away. I couldn't bear it, and yet I wasn't sure I was strong enough to open myself to love her. To believe that she loved me.
Open your heart. You can have something more precious than George Keyes’s respect or becoming the head of this company.
Amelia’s word came back to me. How did one open their heart?
I drove through Las Vegas with no destination in mind. I pressed the phone button on my steering wheel. "Call Amelia."
The system dialed my sister’s number. "Hello."
Her tone told me she was still upset with me, and I couldn't blame her. For the longest time, I didn't say anything. I couldn't find the words.
"James?"
"I just resigned." Dammit, that's not why I was calling.
"Good. That place is killing you."
I nodded and kept driving.
"Are you okay?"
"Do you know where Reyna is?" God. Was I going to do this?
"Oh?" Her tone was hopeful. "I believe she’s staying at Vivie's. She just got her own place. Let me get you the address."
I noted the address, realizing it was the condo community my company had helped finance.
"You're going to see her?" Amelia asked.
"I don't know." I felt like I was standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. If I took the leap of faith, I might fly or I would fall into the abyss.
"Open up to love, James. You won't be sorry."
"What if she doesn't want me? What if she stops wanting me down the road?"
"What if she does want you?"
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Reyna
I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Checking my phone next to the bed, it was just after ten. I'd only been in bed about a half-hour, but it felt like I'd been lying there restlessly longer than that. My inability to fall asleep might have made sense if I was worried. I certainly had quite a bit to worry about. That wasn’t what was keeping sleep at bay. It was in the moments of quiet that James always came to mind. Sometimes, I had pathetic thoughts, like did he miss me? Other times, I had more practical thoughts, like was he making headway in maintaining control of the company and possibly getting George thrown off the board? Sometimes, I wondered if he was happier now that I was gone.
Today, my mind was filled with thoughts about the legal papers I had sent to him. Had he been surprised to receive them? Had he been relieved? Did he sign them right away and ask the courier to bring them back to my lawyer? Whatever his response, he didn't have any questions because I didn't hear from him. Then again, he wouldn’t have called me. He would have his lawyer talk to me or to my lawyer.
One thing I knew for sure was the other night when Amelia left, she told me she was going to confront James. Knowing her as well as I did, I was certain she'd done that. But whatever she'd said or done, it hadn't changed anything for James.
I turned over on my side, rubbing my hand over my belly, wanting to reassure my babies that we were going to be okay. I wasn't alone, and that was a relief. Vivie was turning out to be the best friend I could ever have. She was letting me stay here, and she was a shoulder to cry on when my feelings got the best of me.
She was still enthusiastic about romance writing, and I did everything I could to support her in the effort. I wasn't in a creative space at the moment, but I did what I could to help flesh out her ideas.
A knock on the door interrupted my racing thoughts. Listening, I heard Vivie answer the door. It was still early to be in bed, but it felt a little late for someone to be stopping by. While the condo was small, the insulation was good, and I couldn't hear who was at the door. Curious and wanting to make sure she was okay, I got out of bed and went to my bedroom door, opening it enough for me to peek out toward the living room.
"She's asleep." Vivie’s tone was cold and rude.