“I don’t know any lawyers.”
“Let me do a little checking and maybe get a couple names for you.” She pauses. “You need to talk to someone, Willa. They did you wrong at McAllister.”
She’s right. They did. “I’m just not sure. I’m not a vindictive person, Bonnie.”
“You’re in luck, bestie. BecauseI am.”
I laugh a little as we hang up. Back up on my feet, I’m even more determined than ever for my free drink. I’m sweating profusely due to heat of the Chicago summer. When I reach the sidewalk, there’s a wonderful breeze coming from the direction of the lake. The lake isn’t far. I should get my drink, then walk down and sit there for a while. I’ve always loved the water. There’s something about it that calms my soul.
Sipping my drink, I sigh as the cool lake air helps dry my damp hair. I’ve found a park bench near the bike and walking trail, which gives me a view of the water and an excellent vantage point to people watch. Not that I enjoy seeing extremely fit people running to and fro, but it is interesting to see what they’re wearing. And in this heat, they aren’t wearing much. Even some of the men have jogged by in teeny-tiny shorts and no shirt.
I’ve muttered “Too much information” several times then I snickered and giggled after each. I should have done this days ago. The breeze, water, and laughing a little at other people is the pick-me-up I needed. It’s clearing my head somewhat.
Until I see him walking my way.
He’s not in teeny tiny running shorts. He’s in a light gray suit, white dress shirt, and a tie the color of what I imagine the Aegean Sea would look like. He looks good.Reallygood.
I don’t think he sees me at first, but when he raises his sunglasses and gives me his megawatt smile, I know. “Hey.” I say as he sits beside me. “What are you doing home from work?”
“Took the afternoon off.”
“You did?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
He leans in and kisses me. “Missed my girl.”
As I said before, he’s been home each night, but it’s been late. One night it was eight, another was after nine. His chicken piccata was a bit dry by the time he ate it on Monday, but he smiled and told me how delicious it was several times.
“Did Bonnie call you?”
“She did.” I pause. “Did she tell you what’s going on?”
“She did. I’m glad he got what was coming to him. I’m sorry it didn’t happen sooner.” Standing, Hudson reaches for my hand. “Have you had lunch yet?”
“Nope.” And I’m starving. I move in next to him and let him lead me to the parking lot where he must’ve parked his car. Which gives me pause. “Hey…”
“Yes?” He smiles down at me.
“How’d you know I was here?”
“Easy.” He says hitting his key fob to unlock is car. “I stopped at home, but you weren’t there, so I tracked your phone.”
“What?” I nearly laugh, but it’s more of a scoff. “You tracked me?”
“Yes.” He frowns. “I’ll show you how the app works in case you ever need to find me too.”
“Oh.” I see. “Okay.” That’s only fair. Creepy but fair, I suppose. “You could have just called me.”
“I did. It went to voicemail.” Hudson kisses my hand as he opens the passenger door. “What are you hungry for?”
I’d love to say “You in that suit,” but I’ll save that for later once I’ve processed the whole tracking thing. I pull the phone out of pocket, and it’s true. I had a missed call about twenty minutes earlier. “Tacos sound good.”
“Tacos it is.”
* * *
