Page 44 of Someone Like You

“One day at a time,” Casimir suggested.

“It’s a short-term solution at best,” Jude interjected. “I mean, to his point, it isn’t safe for you to remain in your office. I’m sure the amenities aren’t comparable to this place,” he joked.

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. “And where will you stay?”

“Same place I’ve been staying.”

“Which is where?”

“With Bethany.”

For some reason, those words hurt me. I thought Casimir divorced Bethany. I thought that things were over between them. I had no right to ask the questions that I wanted to ask, and I definitely would not do that in front of Jude.

“If you don’t trust him, Dr. Champagne, trust me,” Jude stated.

“I don’t know,” I hedged.

“It can’t hurt,” Jude encouraged. “Hey, follow me. I’d like to show you a few things.”

I didn’t miss the smile on Jude’s face nor the look of relief in Casimir’s eyes when the two men exchanged a look.

“Fine.” I followed Jude out, and Casimir was right on our heels. We spent the next half an hour with Jude showing me all the amenities The Vista had to offer.

Casimir

One Week Later

It hadn’t taken much to get Giselle moved into my penthouse suite at The Vista. She didn’t have much to bring with her since she had lost everything in the fire.

I hadn’t seen her in the week since she had moved in. I had received a simple “Thank you” text from her, but I knew she needed her space, which was why I hadn’t bothered to visit. Besides, I recalled the painful look in her eyes when I told her that I would be staying with Beth and had been staying with her. Jude had commented on the sexual chemistry between Giselle and me after we had dropped her back off to pick up her car.

I gave her the spare key and had her name added to the residence so that she wouldn’t have a problem coming or going or seeking any assistance that she might need. She emphasized that it was only a temporary arrangement. Thankfully, Jude had been caught up that first week with other clients he was already working with, and this week, he was heading out of town to a seminar and wouldn’t be back until next week.

I looked at my watch and smiled. I was certain that Giselle would be home this evening. I only hoped that she didn’t have any company. I didn’t know much about Giselle’s personal life, but I doubted she would bring another man up there. She didn’t seem like the disrespectful type, but still I was taking a chance visiting her unannounced.

I pushed the doorbell. Although I still had a key to this place, I knew that using it was the quickest way to have her pack up and leave.

I pushed it a second time, and when she finally opened it, she stared up at me in confusion.

“Hey. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

She was gorgeous in a soft peach loungewear set. The top barely brushed the top of her navel, and I could see that she had a belly piercing. The shorts were short enough to expose a butterfly on her upper right thigh, and I could only imagine if she turned around that I might catch a glimpse of that fat peach.

I held my hands up with the two bags that I carried.

“I came bearing gifts.”

She sniffed the air, and a light smile crossed her lips.

“It smells delicious.”

“I’m hoping that it is.”

She opened the door wider, and I stepped inside. “Did you already cook?” I asked.

“No. I’m actually starving and was thinking about ordering takeout. I haven’t had time to cook because I’ve been working on some case notes.”

I followed her into the den, where she had her laptop set up, a bright blue cashmere blanket, and several folders. There was a glass of juice sitting on a coaster on the table. The TV was on over the fireplace, but it was muted.

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