Page 148

She sighs and shakes her head. “No, I do. I’m having coffee with him tomorrow.”

Chapter 28

Lennon

Control & Confessions

“You’re what?” Easton asks, the utter confusion etched into his brow.

“I’m having coffee with Adam tomorrow.”

I know he doesn’t mean for the question to sound so angry, but anger is the strongest emotion I read from him.

“I need to talk to him.”

“About…”

“Look. This is something I need to do, and I’d appreciate it if you supported me here, Easton.”

I can practically see the argument on his lips, but instead, he swallows roughly, straightens, and avoids my gaze. “This weekend was not supposed to go this way.”

I stand from my seat and grip his chin, guiding his gaze to mine. “I know. Just…trust me, please. I need you to trust me.”

He nods once, but that’s my only response. Before I know it, we’re back in line, ordering food and drinks, and returning to our seats to finish watching the concert that was a highlight for me, but is now oozing with tension.

***

Leaving Easton in the hotel room after a restless night is the last thing I want to do, but this meeting with Adam can’t wait.

Running into him felt like fate—the final piece of these past few crazy months and the last thing I need to face before moving on with my head high and my confidence intact.

As usual, he’s a few minutes late, but when he enters the hotel lobby, the strangest feeling comes over me.

Pity.

This man will never get to experience the kind of love that Easton has shown me because he doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

He’ll never get to watch our daughter grow up, and fall in love with life all over again by watching it happen through her eyes.

And he’ll never get the chance to change his mind about it, which is exactly why I asked him to meet with me today.

He greets me as he takes the only other chair at my table. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Did you want to order some coffee?” I ask, lifting the decaf I bought a few minutes ago.

“Not really. I just want to get this over with.” He pushes a hand through his hair, growing agitated. “What did you need to talk to me about, Lennon?”

“I’m married.”

His eyes snap to mine. “What?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation. In fact, you don’t deserve to know anything about my life. But what I won’t let you do is potentially ruin one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” I pull the stack of papers from my purse and thank God for Elodie and Elliot Thorne’s quick work.

Just a few days ago, I was on the phone with him, explaining what I wanted to do. And by Friday night, an overnighted package was sitting on my doorstep.

The timing was impeccable. Who would have thought I’d run into this asshole so soon?