Page 185 of Little Sunshine

Pulling my phone out, I shot off a text to Cole.

He responded instantly, like he’d had the message sitting in his drafts.

Cole: One video

I handed it to Mila. “Press play.”

She watched the phone, and I watched her. Her brows were lowered as she squinted at the footage of an empty restaurant. A moment later, she squealed with delight when three dozen lobsters scuttled into the frame. And then she threw her head back and laughed as I drunkenly stumbled onto the screen wearing a tablecloth like a toga.

“I was Poseidon, freeing the sea creatures.”

“Of course,” she gasped through more laughter. “This is way better than the bourbon phone.”

For the rest of the night, I gave her what she wanted by treating it like any other day. We watched TV. She rode my face before she rode my dick. And when we went to sleep that night with my body around hers and both of her hands bound together in a prayer tie, I waited.

For her tears.

Her anger.

Her nightmares.

But they never came.

Chapter 31

You’re Allowed to Move On… To Tacos

MILA

Contrary to what one of my comfort shows portrayed, the police station was not filled with hijinks and laughter.

It was unfortunate—I could’ve gone for a little of both.

Ash must’ve known it. His large hand moved from my lower back to squeeze my hip in a comforting gesture.

It’d been three days since I’d found out my mother was dead. The only thing I struggled with was that I wasn’t struggling. I wasn’t mourning the way most would grieve and rage at the murder of a parent. I was sad at her death, yes, but that was as far as it went.

I had more guilt over that than I did about my final words to Veronica.

Even though I’d tried to assure him it was unnecessary, Ash had taken some time off work. I knew he was worried that I was still in shock. That it would suddenly hit me, and I would have a meltdown. It wouldn’t happen, but that didn’t matter. He’d barely left my side.

I was grateful for it right then.

Ash guided me through the station before stopping us in front of a suited man. He released my hip just long enough to shake the man’s hand. When he was done, he looked down at me. “This is my lawyer, Wes.”

My panicked gaze shot from the man to Ash. “I thought that agent just wanted to ask me some questions. Why do you need a lawyer?”

“I’m just here as a precaution.” Wes held his hand out. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I took it and returned the pleasantry I was too freaked to actually feel. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Even though he kept my hand in his, his gaze and words were both aimed at Ash. “I get it now.”

“There’s no shortage of lawyers,” Ash bizarrely bit out with a glare.

Wes didn’t look fazed as he released my hand and gave a cocky smirk. “Yeah, but none of them are as good as me. Now, let’s get this over with.”

We followed Wes as he made his way over to talk to a woman behind a long desk. She made a quick call before escorting us into a small room. After offering coffee that no one accepted, she left, and we each took a seat around the large circular table—with me positioned between Ash and Wes.

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