“No. He did.” A laugh bursts through the phone. “I wasthatdistracted. He said we could try another time. So we left. He helped me get a cab. Kissed me goodnight. He was cute, too, so you know. Totally my type. I basically gave up my one opportunity to have sex in months to call and check on you.”
I chuckle, hating how much I care that he kissed her tonight.
Is it him?Or do I hate the idea of anyone touching her?
Or am I just lonely, horny, and suddenly developing a conscience about my weekend activities?
Fuck,I don’t know. But it’s annoying as hell.
“What are you talking about?” I say lightly. “I give you the opportunity to have sex every Tuesday.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. I meant sex with someone who isn’t you.”
I shake my head. “You haven’t had sex in months? Why?”
“Well, I haven’t exactly been dating,” she says dryly. “I was engaged a few months ago, remember? I’m still mourning my loss.”
I bark out a laugh. “You arenotin mourning. Shit—come on. You haven’t had sex since Richard?” I pause. “Jesus. How’s your wrist holding up?”
“Fuck off!” She laughs, and it instantly cuts through my mood, lightening something heavy in my chest.
“Seriously, babe,” I say. “I’ve been here this whole time. I’m willing and able to deliver some top-notch orgasms. You just say the word.”
“Oh, God.” I can practically hear her roll her eyes. “I’m hanging up now. Text me if you hear anything?”
“I will.”
“Night, Matt.”
“Night, babe.”
Five Days Later
I rub my sweating palms against my suit pants, stealing a glance out the large windows overlooking the city skyline. My attorney, Jerry, jots down some notes, going back and forth between his laptop and legal pad. He’s been great, calm and thorough. Keith really did me a solid finding someone last minute.
So far, so good.
We’ve gone over a lot. And I meana lot. My work. My finances. The other family members Cole knows, Jensen’s family, Jordan. My role as godfather. What my relationship with Cole actually looks like. Jerry’s explained every piece of legal jargon to me like I’m five because I asked him to. I don’t know shit about this stuff, and I’m not about to pretend I do.
Thirty minutes of legal language and deeply personal bullshit later and my head’s spinning.
Jerry finally looks up from his screen. “This is good,” he says. “You’ve got strong emotional ties, financial stability, a clear relationship history with both Cole and his father, a clean background. This is all excellent.” He pauses. “But… there are some concerns.”
Nerves spread through my chest.
Fucking anxiety again?Jesus. I’m really not used to feeling this way.
“What are the concerns? I’m the perfect candidate on paper so far.”
“I’m going to be very blunt with you,” Jerry says. “You have a very good case for permanent guardianship. But temporary guardianship will likely go to Cole’s grandmother. She’s a blood relative. She lives close to where Cole has grown up. She’s financially stable.”
“But I’m all those things too,” I argue quickly. “My condo’s only twenty minutes from his school. I can stay here until the school year’s over.”
He nods. “She’s also married. Judges tend to favor a two-person household. It’s going to be difficult to prove you’d be thebetter option. You’re single, you travel frequently, and you don’t live in-state full time. Those three things alone will give the judge pause.”
Shit.
Panic shoots straight through my core, my pulse spiking hard.
