“Admit it,” Alex says.
“What?”
“You wanted to be on that plane with her.”
Leaving behind a mundane existence where each day blends into the next, filled with endless debates over the same issues for wealthy clients. Even the joy I get from pro bono work can’t shake off the sense of emptiness that has slowly seeped in—an emptiness I hadn’t noticed until three months ago when Paige entered my life three months ago. Her presence quickly became the highlight of my day, and guessing which ridiculous sticky note she would leave for me became my favorite game.
“What am I supposed to do? Now that we’ve signed Roger, I have even less time. I can’t just jump on a plane and follow her.”
“You’d have more time if we merged.”
In the past, whenever Alex suggested merging with another law firm, I’d immediately shut down the conversation. But this time, something stops me. Maybe it’s because my workload has become overwhelming, or maybe it’s because I finally have a reason to want more spare time.
If we merge, I could delegate some of my older clients and hire associates to help with the pro bono cases.
I would have enough time to take a vacation.
Alex looks at me like he can see the cogs turning in my brain. He grins. “Am I making a call?”
“No. I’m making a move.”
CHAPTER 11
Paige
The sun’s rays pierce my eyelids, forcing me to squint at the sliver of light tormenting me through the gap in the curtains. “Isn’t England supposed to be dreary?”
I’d take drizzle and gloom over this bright assault on my depression.
The jet lag has taken longer to get over than I thought. It might have something to do with the copious amounts of alcohol and moping I’ve indulged in.
It’s not every day that you realize your heart isn’t broken and then have it actually break on the same day. “You slept with the guy a few times. It’s not exactly the start of happily ever after.”
I was so stupid to ask him to come with me. I was emotional over the tattoo revelation, then the realization that he’s the first person I’ve been open and vulnerable with since my parents’ deaths.
But it wasn’t real.
Cock drunk—that’s what it was.
I was so cock drunk I didn’t use protection.
I place a hand to my abdomen and imagine it swollen with his child, then scold myself. “Wow, wanting kids with the guy that couldn’t even be bothered to say goodbye to you. Nice, Paige.”
I roll onto my stomach and moan into the pillow. I need to stop lying in this room and talking to myself like a crazy person. I’m going to get up and buy something dripping in chocolate for breakfast, then find a bookshop to wallow in for the rest of the day. That will make me feel better.
I climb out of bed and shove on a pair of jeans and a sweater. I throw my hair up into a messy bun and head out of the small furnished apartment I rented for the next month.
The streets of London are busy as soon as I step outside.
I pull up my phone to search for a bakery and bookstore and start heading in that direction when a message pops up.
Taylor: Morning Sunshine. Any plans today?
I grin at the phone. Even though it’s only been a little over forty-eight hours since we said goodbye, I’m already missing our morning chats.
I send her a link to the bookshop.
Me: To get lost in here.
