“No! Hell no! Never! NOT HAPPENING!” I’m shaking with anger and Emma has the nerve to look surprised that I yelled at her. “Emma…just go.”
I don’t have the energy to deal with her anymore. She shoots me the same hurt look she’s given me the last few times we’ve spoken.
“One day when you’re single and lonely, you’ll regret turning me down.” I watch Emma square her shoulders, tilt her chin back and walk out like she’s put me in my place.
The lawyer in me wants to get the last word and tell her that I am lonely and single, now; yet, I’m still telling her ‘no.’ It would be cruel. Aside from the pestering, Emma hasn’t done anything to warrant me being cruel. I’m not trying to break her. I just want her to accept that there isn’t an ‘us.’
My secretary buzzes me.Nowshe wants to come back to work.
“What’s up, Mel?”
“I have a call for you on line one. She said her name is Jane Storm.”
I frown at the black speaker. I’ve never heard of or met anyone with that name. I hope Emma’s appearance isn’t the beginning of a shitty Friday evening.
“Jane Storm?” I repeat. Maybe saying the name out loud will jog something.
“She said she’s following up…something about the hurricane.”
Celeste? Her middle name is Jane…every molecule in my body goes into a frenzy. I fall into my chair and lean on my desk.
“Put her through.” I do my best to make my voice cool and neutral.
“Hello?” I hear her voice, and I’m suddenly awash with several emotions.
“Please tell me this is who I think it is,” I breathe into the phone.
“If you’re thinking I’m your unexpected houseguest from many moons ago, then yes, I am exactly who you think I am.”
I hear amusement and something else far more intense in her voice. I want to ask her but don’t want to launch an interrogation. I want her to tell me why she called.
“I miss you,” I tell her.
Celeste sighs. It’s silent in the background then I hear what sounds like sheets rustling.
Did she return to her parents’ house?
I start to worry that she’s not going to answer me when she speaks.
“I miss you too, Beau. We have so much to talk about, just not right now.”
I sit back in my chair, hopeful the freeze is over.
“Do you want to meet? I’d love to see you.”
“Not yet. I didn’t do it yet. I know I said I would, but I froze and went into hiding. I’m not free to see you yet.”
I swallow the disappointment and frustration gnawing at my gut. I know she has multiple reasons to fear Wes, but her fear is hindering the future.
“So, let me help you.”
“You will. Not in the way you want. Your role is very important, though.”
I rub my hand over my face. “Are you ready to share my role? Or will you go rogue another five weeks?”
I hate that my question sounds bitter. I just want to be with her, and I’m irked that I can’t.
“Both. I’m going to the country club to confront him and his family tonight. If you haven’t already, you’ll receive a package. In that package is all the physical evidence I have against him plus instructions on how to get the rest. This is why I didn’t want to be seen with you. I didn’t want anyone to know I know you because I need you to be my ace. If anything happens to me, I need you to take him down. Hit him with everything you got legally and get my story out to the masses. Don’t let them get away with anything.”
