Page 43 of Love on the Run

It was probably for the best. She’d never slept in the same bed as a man until last night, and she didn’t intend to make a habit of it. Even so, Beau was probably the only man she’d agree to sleep nextto. Come to think of it, she trusted him more than any other man she knew.

She trusted too easily. That’s what got her into the situation with Dean in the first place. Thinking the best of people sounded like a good thing until the people she loved and trusted started stomping all over her while she walked on eggshells.

Looking at Beau, it was difficult to keep her distance. Her heart made decisions, and her brain rarely got a say.

Had she wanted to be loved so badly that she’d been blind to Dean’s affair? All she was left with was a taunting voice in her head saying “I told you so.”

But what she was feeling for Beau was more than appreciation. It wasn’t infatuation either. She wasn’t in love, but it went against her instincts to push away from him when he was so kind and patient with her. He’d made it his mission to build her up and make her happy with herself, but he was drawing her to him.

Yeah, rushing into relationships only left her heartbroken. Besides, Beau wasn’t interested in her. At least not in a romantic way. He’d only agreed to come with her to make his sister happy.

Anna’s phone rang, and she quickly silenced it. Every time the noise pierced the air, her body froze as an unseen fear wrapped its claws around her neck.

But it wasn’t her mother’s name on the screen. It was Tiffany, Anna’s legal assistant at the firm.

Anna slipped into the bathroom and closed the door. “Hello.”

“Hey, I’m so sorry to call you this late, but we have a problem.”

At least Tiffany didn’t beat around the bush. “What’s wrong?”

“Your parents are absolutely losing their minds. I mean, Catherine makes me want to melt into the floor on a regular day, but she’s been furious all day. I have plenty to do to take care of your cases this week, but she’s been loading me up with tasks for her cases too. I’m not talking about sending update letters or returning calls. She’s had me drafting motions and proposed orders. She even asked me to draft a brief.”

Anna placed her hand on the cool granite counter next to the sink. Of course her mother was unhappy with her. She hadn’t answered a single call or text since she ran off from her wedding. It hadn’t crossed her mind that her mother would take it out on Tiffany.

“I’m so sorry. First, she shouldn’t have asked you to draft a brief. That’s not your job.”

“I know!”

“And I’m sorry this is coming down on you. She’s mad at me.”

Tiffany let out a deep, soulful sigh. “I’m reallysorry about the wedding. I couldn’t believe it when I heard.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I?—”

Anna trusted Tiffany, but she didn’t want word getting back to her mom about where she was. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for her mom to do something drastic, like show up at the hotel.

“I’m taking care of the messes from the wedding, so hopefully, she won’t have a reason to be mad at me when I get back.”

It wouldn’t be enough. Anna knew it. Her mom wouldn’t let this go easily. There was no doubt in her mind that Catherine Harris would have demanded she go through with the wedding, mistress or not. That was one of the reasons why she hadn’t gathered the courage to talk to her mother yet.

“This is going to be the longest week ever. No offense to you. He did you wrong. But your mom is on a warpath, and she’s out for blood.”

“I have no doubt,” Anna whispered. Her mother was the last person she wanted to talk to when she was upset. Catherine didn’t understand invisible things like feelings or emotions. Everything needed a direct path to reality, and Anna’s obsession with true love and living happily ever after was ridiculous to her. Success was only measured in dollar signs for Catherine.

Anna, on the other hand, didn’t care how much money she had. Enough was plenty.

“I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. Send me the things I left for you to do, and I’ll take care of them so you won’t be overloaded doing the things Catherine is giving you too.”

Tiffany groaned. “This stinks. I don’t like working for her. I like working for you.”

“The feeling is mutual, girl. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Also, don’t write the brief. I’ll do it when I get back.”

“Thank you! And I’m not sending you this work. I hope you’re hundreds of miles away from her fury.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow, but keep me posted if you need anything,” Anna said.

“Have a good trip.”

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