But no, you had to go all iceman on him and freeze him out.
I wasn’t impressed with myself as I acknowledged that observation. As I retrieved my car from long-term parking at Pearson Airport, I continued to berate myself. I winced as I paid the exorbitant fee. Taking a cab from my townhouse in Yorkville might’ve made more sense, but I liked being in control. Liked not having to wait for someone else to take care of something. I was a go-getter.
Which was why, when a call came through the car speakers, I hit accept before I checked who it was.
“Briggs.”
“You really need to learn to be more polite when you answer the phone. What if I was a client?” Lydia’s voice purred through the line.
“I’m driving.”
“That’s never stopped you before.”
It had, actually, on numerous occasions. Toronto traffic was notoriously horrific, and I preferred to have all my wits about me. “What do you want?”
“To hear how the wedding went.”
“No, Lydia, you don’t. What do youreallywant?”
She huffed. “The première for Norah’s new movie is Thursday night.”
“And your point?”
“You were her lawyer when she was up here.”
The Hollywood actor was on her way up in the world. This film was garnering a lot of buzz and had done well on the festival circuit. A good Canadian première would mean a lot.
“You’re not coming with me.” I signaled to take the 427 exit. I loathed the Gardiner Expressway, but it was the quickest way downtown.
When the construction isn’t too bad.
Get her off the phone.
“I have to go so I can listen to the traffic report.”
“But—”
I cut the line.
The phone rang again.
I sent it to voicemail.
What did I ever see in Lydia? She’s so different from the women in my life.
Women like Norah. The actor could’ve been high on herself—given her career success at such an early age—but she wasn’t. Women like Taryn and Stephanie. Two lovely people who cared for each other. Loved each other.
And now you’re thinking about Cooper. About the great sex. About how you could totally see yourself with him and not just because he fucked you so thoroughly.
Nope. I was thinking about the bachelorette party.
Okay, that was sort of sex.
I was thinking about our arguments. How he never descended to insults—no matter how much my rigid approach to life annoyed him.
I need to learn to relax more.
He could totally teach me how to relax more.
