I look up into her blue-gray eyes. “Thank you.”
She takes a seat in a chair next to me. We agreed to meet at Palla on Fifth. Bella arrived first. She was drinking an herbal tea when I walked in.
She put it on the counter and ran to me. Gathering me in her arms, she gave me the hug that I’ve desperately needed for the past seven days.
It’s been that long since Case left Manhattan.
Our only communication has been through our lawyers. Chloe negotiated a settlement deal with Cabbott Mobile that compensated me well for my share of the future royalties for Letter Leap.
That comes with a substantial advance.
Chloe wanted that in my hand so I’d be able to find a comfortable place to live in Manhattan.
I haven’t received the check yet. It’s due to arrive in the next few days. I haven’t signed the employment contract with Cabbott yet either. It’s not that the terms aren’t fair or generous. They are, but I freeze up every time I imagine working for Case’s company.
“Have you talked to your brother?”
I push my palms along my jean-covered thighs. “I did. Their flight lands in a few hours.”
“Are you excited to see them?” Bella always finds brightness where darkness has settled.
She texted me the morning after Case left to see how our evening went. When I told her that he had left to go back to California, she insisted that I meet her at her apartment in Brooklyn.
I had dinner with her and her fiancé. Barrett Adler loves Bella completely. He looked at her the same way Case looked at me before he left New York.
Or my wishful heart wants to believe that he looked at me that way.
“I am,” I admit.
I need something to anchor me to this place. I have Bella, but family is what I crave. Drake and I have some issues to resolve, but I need him right now. I can’t wait to feel his arms around me.
She takes a sip of her tea before adjusting the collar of the red dress she’s wearing. “I saw Delaney and Mickey yesterday.”
The change of subject is welcome. My mind has been so focused on Case for the past week that I haven’t let anything else steal my attention away. I’ve replayed our last day together over and over again.
I assumed we had crossed an emotional barrier when he confided in me about his brother, but I was wrong.
Case stuck to the plan of leaving New York without me.
He even did it sooner than I expected.
“How are they?”
“Mickey is great.” Her smile brightens. “He’s struggling a little with some of his summer school work.”
My ears perk. “What kind of school work?”
“I’m not sure.” She shrugs. “But, I know that Delaney would thank you in free cupcakes if you could lend a hand.”
“I’d love to.”
“Good.” She leans back in her chair. “Delaney didn’t seem like herself.”
“Why?” I ask, even though I think I know the reason.
I’ve interacted with many parents because of my work. I’ve seen the struggles they face. I know there’s an extra layer added to that for single parents.
“She was vague about it.”
