It felt so right.
When we were for real saying goodnight, he askedif I kissed on first dates.
I said no.
He softly chuckled. “As much as I hate to hear it, it’s a good answer.”
As I drove away, I kicked myself. Tonight was so much more than afirst date.
NINE
Miranda
Iwished I could’ve picked my own seat. Definitely wouldn’t have put Jack on my right side. My concealer couldn’t hide my darkening bruise. Even though I let my hair hang, surely he would see. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I felt sticky red rising up my neck.
The half-second glance I threw his direction answered my first question. He wasnotexpecting me.
I sat down, grateful for the chance to hide half of me under the table. I placed my coffee on a coaster and eased into the swivel seat, hoping the high-end furniture could make me look less pathetic somehow. I forced myself to breathe in. Then out.
Despite my desire to evaporate, I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. I could do this.
John stood, introduced himself, and explained the role he played in the meeting. I didn’t hear. Didn’t care. If I didn’t focus on quietly breathing, I’d pass out.
Jack stared at me. But he didn’t deserve my acknowledgement. So I pretended not to notice his attention.
This is for Kacey. This is for Kacey.
The kind receptionist offered to let him sit with her and do some coloring pages. His attention span for coloring was about five minutes. I didn’t tell her that though and just crossed my fingers he wouldn’t run her ragged.
In my peripheral, Jack rubbed his forehead and ran a hand over his head. He leaned my direction an inch and whispered, “What are you doing here?”
His voice.
How many times had I imagined it? My throat tightened with suppressed emotions. Everything was riding on this meeting, and I couldn’t look him in the eyes without becoming unglued. Kept my eyes glued to John Haskins and Paul Ruben.
He sat back in his seat.
John spoke. “It was Nathaniel’s wish you all could be here and have any questions answered. I know he would appreciate each of you taking the time to be here during your grief. Being an incredible attorney himself, Nathaniel left no stone unturned. This whole process should be smooth, quick, and hiccup-free—for the most part.” John shot an uneasy glance my direction with those final words.
What did that mean? Hiccup-free except for the fact that I shouldn’t be here?
He spent the next twenty minutes listing some of Nathaniel’s assets and explaining how a living trust worked. I didn’t understand most of it. According to him, the items in trust had already been retitled. A lot of his assets were going to charity, and the rest would be divvied out among the beneficiaries according to his wishes.
“Marge, Nathaniel wanted you to have some of his investment accounts outright.” He passed her a sheet of paper. “Here’s alist for you of what is included. These accounts are ready for your signature. Mr. Ruben’s assistant can help you with that at any time, although there is no rush. I understand this is a heavy time.
“Nathaniel wanted Julia and her husband Patrick to receive the beach house on Sullivan’s Island outright”—John scratched his chin and shifted in his chair—“and the lake house in Evanston is to go to JackandMiranda. There are some, uh, stipulations on that allotment though.”
Breathe, Miranda. Breathe.
“Wait.” Jack’s chair squeaked as he sat forward and crossed his arms over the table. “When was this will made? There must be some mistake.”
Jules nodded in agreement.
“Miranda and I got divorced over four years ago. Dad knew that.”
My stomach dropped.
I am an idiot.
