“I only have it because everything I read when Ty was first born said it was in his best interest to keep his father in his life, even if the contact was limited.He’s never heard me say a bad word about Marlon.I figured over time he’d get the picture without me having to draw it for him.”
“He will.They always do.”
“He’s already putting the pieces together.”
“Kids don’t miss much.”
She smiled.“He missesnothing.”
“I’ll see what I can do to make this go away for you.”
“Thank you.My friend Marlene said you’re the best.”
“Marlene Powers?”
“Yes.We’re best friends.”
“She’s awesome.How’s she doing?”
“She’s started dating again, and that’s been amusing.She’s so out of practice that she has no idea what to say to anyone.”
Julian laughed at the funny face she made.“It’s tough out there.”
“Don’t I know it!I’ve basically given up on finding someone.”
“That’s usually when it happens.”
“What’s your story?”she asked with a coy look that might’ve turned to interest if he’d encouraged it, which he never would.Not with a client.“Marlene said you’re an international man of mystery.”
He laughed.“Hardly.I’m stubbornly single and planning to stay that way.”Not even a supermodel of her caliber could tempt him to change his life rules.
“Is that because of the drama and mess you see in your work?”
“Partially.”She didn’t need to hear about the ten-year custody battle, although it wouldn’t take her long to find out about that if she went looking.“People don’t realize what a nightmare it can be until they’ve decided to end their marriage, divide their assets and fight over what’s best for their kids.”
“I had a front-row seat to Marlene’s divorce.”She shuddered.“If that didn’t cure me from ever wanting to be married, nothing will.”
“That was a tough one for sure.”
“Do you wonder why people bother to get married?”
“Every single day.I feel like it should be a requirement that they have to read the California divorce laws before they can get a marriage license.”
“That’d be something.”
“I wish I had a dollar for every client who’s told me that if they’d known what would be involved in getting divorced, they never would’ve gotten married.”
“I bet you’re popular at cocktail parties.”
Julian laughed—hard.“I’m a good time had by all.”
“Marlene told me about your parents.I’m sorry you guys went through that.”
Ah, so shedidknow their history.He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, as if it hadn’t dictated most of the big decisions he’d made for himself as an adult.“Ancient history now.”
“She said you and your siblings all work for one parent or the other.What’s that like after all the animosity?”
“It’s… interesting.For a time, I thought about going in a different direction, but the firm my grandfather started is legendary, and I would’ve been a fool to start from scratch somewhere else.So I sucked it up and went to work for my old man.It’s not without its challenges, but for the most part, he leaves us alone to run our practices as we see fit.He nags us about stupid shit, such as the length of my brother Carson’s hair or my brother Jackson’s soul patch.Don’t get him started on Griffin’s tattoos or Roman’s pierced ears.”
