My stomach flips and I press my palm against the warm glass.
It’s been a little over a week since I walked away from Thorne. My chest aches, a dull throb I've learned to ignore but can't quite eliminate. Instead, I focus on Madison’s smile that’s been almost constant since I told her we’re staying in Kentucky. Her happiness is worth all my anxiety. My dad was less than thrilled, but supportive.
“What kind of law did you say you practice?" Carol asks, tapping notes into her tablet.
"Environmental law." Each day the dream feels less like fantasy and more like something I can actually touch.
Carol moves to the window beside me, her eyebrows lifting. "Smart. Kentucky could use more of that, especially with all the development happening along the river."
Turning to the window, I take in the room. I can already see where my desk would go, where I'd put bookshelves. How I'd arrange a small seating area for clients. This isn't like the sleek, intimidating offices at Huntsman & Fellows. This is something different. Something mine.
Madison pulls out her phone, then looks up at me. "Can I take pictures? For like, planning purposes?"
"Good idea. Yes."
Madison moves around the space, photographing different angles. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and my chestdoes that familiar tightening when I see it’s from my dad. Not Thorne.
I’m an idiot. I asked for space and Thorne is giving it to me.
Yet, I've almost called him a hundred times. Probably more. I lost count after fifty.
Each time, I resist. Not because I don't want to hear his voice. God, I'd give anything to hear that low rumble, to feel his hand warm against the small of my back. But I need to be sure of my own path first.
For myself. For Madison. For the life I want to build.
Not for a man who makes decisions for me instead of with me, no matter how much he professes to care.
My phone buzzes in my hand. This time it's a text from Lillianna.
Are you free? Want to meet with Rosalia and me for coffee?
I type back.
Looking at office spaces in the Highlands with Madison. I’m almost done. There's a coffee shop on the first floor of this building. When?
Her response is immediate.
15 minutes?
See you then.
"So?" Carol asks, letting the question hang without pushing. "What do you think? I have two other clients interested in viewing the space this week."
I look around one more time, letting myself feel it. The rightness of it. I catch Madison’s eye. She nods.
“We’ll take it,” I say.
Carol smiles. “Perfect. Would you like to follow me back to my office to sign the paperwork?”
“Could we do it tomorrow? I actually need to run.” I point between Madison and me. “We have a meeting downstairs in a few minutes."
She looks away from her phone. "We do?"
"Lillianna and Rosalia," I tell her. "They want to meet for coffee."
"Oh." Her whole face brightens. “Okay, yeah. That's cool.”
"No problem." Carol taps on her iPad. “Does 2 p.m. tomorrow work for you?"
