my pocket. At least I can give his daughter her house back.
He never should’ve given it to me in the first place. I'm not sure if she'll sell it or rent it out like he used to. Shit, she might even sell her family home that's next door for all I know. Whatever she wants to do, it's up to her.
I wake my phone up and look at the time. Time for this shit to be over and done with. I’ve got a few emails and some texts I need to respond to.
It’s only a few more minutes until the door behind me opens, and I’m quick to put my phone away and sit up straight. I take a look over my shoulder as the old lawyer rounds the desk and sits in his chair.
Elizabeth closes the door behind her with a soft click. She stills for a second when she sees me, caught by surprise. But she seems to ignore me more than anything else. Her eyes are on the empty chair to my left.
Her long hair barely moves as she walks slowly to the seat and settles in without a word. She leans down to set her purse on the floor and runs her fingers through her hair. I can just barely smell a hint of vanilla and something else, something sweet. My eyes roam her curvy body as I take her in.
I can’t help it.
Our eyes meet, and there’s nothing but animosity in hers.
That sweet, sad vulnerable look that was in her eyes at the church is fucking gone. Maybe I imagined it. Or maybe she just doesn’t like the fact that I’m here at her stepfather’s will reading.
That's not my fault though, so she can get that dirty look off her face. I push down my irritation and give her the benefit of the doubt.
She pulls her long hair over one shoulder and nervously twists it around her fingers.
Her pouty lips are turned down into a frown, and her eyes are a bit puffy. The sight of her still so worked up over her stepfather’s death makes my heart clench. She’s in so much pain.
He said she used to light up his world with one look. But those baby blue eyes aren’t filled with any emotion that conveys happiness.
“My condolences,” I offer her in a low voice so I don’t startle her. She bites down on her plump bottom lip and turns to look at me. She noticeably swallows and bites out a small thank you.
She’s tense and unhappy--I get that. But I didn’t anticipate her being so cold to me.
Maybe she’s pissed I’m here at all. I have to keep reminding myself that she doesn't know me. I feel like we have a connection that's just not there.
Shit, it’s not like I want to be here. Usually I’d blow this kind of shit off; I have more important things to do. But if Richard wanted me here, then I’m here.
Fuck, I was with him every day until he died. I could use a little sympathy, too.
I close my eyes and clench my jaw, hating that I even had that thought just now.
I only knew her old man for a few months. Yes, his death was like a bullet to my chest, but I knew it was coming and he wasn't my father. This isn't about me.
If this is her way of dealing with his passing, then so be it. I’ll be her punching bag. I can do that for her, and for him. My foot taps on the ground as I wait to get this over with.
“I know you’re dealing with a lot right now,” the lawyer says as he reaches across the desk and places a wrinkled hand on top of Elizabeth’s hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” He sounds sincere, and I have to look away and down at the floor for a second. My heart sinks a little. The old man is really dead.
She turns her hand over and grips his like it’s her lifeline. For some reason, it pisses me off. I want to be the one giving her that comfort.
But she doesn’t know me. I let the anger roll off of me. If he’s making her feel better, that’s all that matters.
I grip the armrests and sit back. I must be worked up more than I thought over Richard's passing. I don't like it.
“All right, let’s go through this as quickly as possible, shall we?” Allen raises his bushy