make it legal."
"You know, for the first time, that doesn't seem like a bad idea."
As Mike collects the papers, he says, "I'll set up a meeting tomorrow with legal and Eric. Let's get this settled before it goes any further."
"I know I don't say it enough, but thanks, man."
"No. Don't thank me. All of this, and I don't mean this legal bullshit, I mean all of this, Buchanan and Willis, is because of your drive. My life and Kel's is because—"
"Because you've kept a tight leash on me."
His laughter fills the room. "Fuck, I just had a vision of Kimbra holding that leash."
"Not quite my thing, but I'm always up for new challenges."
"That's been the problem, man. But now it's her problem."
"I haven't heard her complaining."
"See you tomorrow." Mike reaches out and grabs my arm. "This place isn't that big. Rumors fly and people talk. Don't you think your involvement in this lawsuit would sound better coming from you? Doesn't Kimbra deserve that?"
"She deserves that and more. Besides, you know that I don't do secrets."
Mike nods as we head our separate directions.
I let myself in to Kimbra's apartment with the key Shana left behind. It isn't like I took it. Well, I did, but with Kimbra's permission. My hope is to find her in some compromising position, perhaps with a glass of moscato and a bathtub full of bubbles.
Hearing noises from her bedroom, I lock the door behind me and make my way down the hall. She has this great headboard and there's always her old vibrator in the bedside stand. My mind fills with ideas guaranteed to drive her nuts before we find something for dinner.
I know what I'm hungry for.
As I turn the corner, I stop dead in my tracks. Kimbra's eyes are red and she's pulling clothes from her dresser, filling a small suitcase.
"What the hell is happening?"
Her entire body quakes as her eyes close and she sinks to the corner of her mattress. "I-I...tell...I...need...you were busy. I told Eric."
Rushing to her, I fall to my knees. "Told Eric what?" That fucker. If he said something to her first, we'll have another termination on the books at Buchanan and Willis.
"Duncan, I can't stay. I have to go back to Indiana."
"What are you talking about? If Eric told you about the lawsuit, it's not an issue. We're meeting with legal tomorrow. The whole thing is bullshit anyway." I wipe away another tear from her cheek with the pad of my thumb. "You don't have to leave. This isn't going to affect your job."
Kimbra sits taller. "Lawsuit? I have no idea what you're talking about. My mom called me late this afternoon. I told Jorge to have you call me."
"I didn't see Jorge. I was in a hurry to get to you. He wasn't at his desk, and I didn't check in with him before I left. Your mom?" Panic takes root. "What? What happened? Why do you need to go to Indiana?"
"Duncan, it's Grandma Helen..."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kimbra
My heart races and my skin feels cold and clammy as my shoes squeak upon the shiny tile of the hospital hallway. The doors open as I make my way down another corridor in search of her room.
I have no idea what's happening. My damn phone died partway through my forever travels. I could have waited for Duncan, but I didn't want to. I wanted to get here as fast as possible. In hindsight, I made the wrong choice. You would think that finding a last-minute flight to Indianapolis from New York wouldn't be difficult, but apparently, that isn't always the case. Even though I made it to JFK last night, it's now Thursday morning, nearly sixteen hours and two delays later.
Besides, I couldn't expect Duncan to drop everything and join me. Not after he'd explained the whole mess with Carla. Mike wanted him present for the meeting with legal. His company takes precedence. Grandma Helen is my family, not his. She isn't his responsibility.
My feet still and mouth goes dry as I find the right room number on a small plaque beside the door. Taking a deep breath, I push the door inward, unsure what to expect. The last I'd heard she was in surgery. The details were sketchy at best.
The overpowering blare of a television drowns out the beeps of monitors.
Gritting my teeth, I steel myself for the worst as I step farther into the room.
"Kimberly Ann!" my mom yells as she rushes toward me.
Her petite frame swallows me before I