“Right. People don’t usually run away from people that they know.”
“Used to know,” I correct him.
“I’ve encountered him plenty at the sanctuary, but I admit that I don’t know him very well. I know he has a past, but is there anything that I need to know, Liv? Are you afraid of him?”
Afraid of Hayes?
“Absolutely not.”
Fearing him would never cross my mind. He was my safe space.Used to be.
That thought rocks me slightly.
Jackson doesn’t speak, using his annoying law enforcement tactic of making me stew in my thoughts until I blab. Unfortunately, it’s working.
“We had a falling out a long time ago. There isn’t any familiarity between us anymore. If anything, it’s contempt. He’s a stranger now.”
“You definitely didn’t look like strangers.” He opens the door, apparently having got what he came for.
“There’s bad blood, Jackson. I can’t stand the thought of being near him,” I huff in defense.
“Yeah. My wife used to feel that way about me, too.” He smirks, strolling out of my office.
“It’s not like that!” I shout after him. “There’s too muchhistory,” I mumble when he’s too far away to hear me.
I shut the door, and a glaring reminder waves in front of my face. My 8-carat engagement ring.
A 6-carat square-cut diamond with single-carat accent diamonds on either side. It’s brilliant. And, a little excessive.
Elliot insisted on the biggest and flashiest ring he could find. I talked him down from ten carats.
I wasn’t born with money like he was. Wealth isn’t something that comes naturally to me. I’ve made an incredible living with my law career, but I don’t marvel in the excess of it all.
It’s a beautiful ring, though, and I’m grateful. Elliot has been a wonderful fiancé despite all the confusion in my head recently. He was ultimately supportive when I decided to relocate to Rollins County temporarily. He’s handled the wedding planning while I’m away.
He’s a good man.
We met when I was fresh out of law school, working in my first law office. Our firm was representing his company. Even though he didn’t come near me while we were working together professionally, I always felt his eyes on me. Once the case was resolved, he asked me to dinner, and we were hardly ever apart after that.
Aside from now.
My phone rings from my desk, the special ringtone that only belongs to one person.
“Did you miss me already?” I ask as I answer.
“Of course, I haven’t spoken to you since lunch,” Thea responds humorously.
“I’m done for the day, I just need to run home and change before I head to your house.”
“Well, wear something hot because my mom offered to babysit. We’re going out!”
“Dancing?” I ask excitedly. That was our favorite thing to do in college when we were roommates and inseparable, before life got in the way.
“Dancing!” She sings-songs before saying our quick goodbyes.
We missed out on so many nights out because of what she went through after undergrad, and then moving separate ways for our jobs.
Now, we get to dance together whenever we have a free night, as long as our shadow tags along. Her husband, Jesse, makes her feel safe enough in every room that she doesn’t have to hide.
