Page 38 of Soaring Free
“Looking forward to it, Theo. Thank you … for everything.”
“It’s an honor, Savannah.” And the pleasure is all mine—for now.
Chapter twenty-three
One would assume that multiple years of experience with school mornings and running the routine solo ninety-nine percent of the time since my oldest was in preschool, that I would be better at getting out the door on time.
They would be wrong in that assumption.
Typically, we are at least on time for school, but rarely ever early. Sometimes, I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, running around looking for homework that didn’t get put in backpacks, packing lunches, braiding hair, and making sure they all consume something beyond a glass of juice and brush their teeth before drop-off. Today has been one of those mornings. Not only was my alarm not properly set today for some random reason, Olivia and Emily got in a near physical fight over who knows what, I ran out of milk for their cereal, and Lucy had a right fit over not having her favorite socks clean for her to wear today.
Did I ever think motherhood would include meltdowns over socks? I can’t say that was ever on my bingo card for life. To top things off, I couldn’t find my keys and when I went to grab the extra key fob, it wasn’t on the hook where I always keep it, and I have no idea why it wouldn’t be where it belongs. Thankfully, Olivia found my keys under her sweatshirt, and we walked up just as the warning bell rang for the kids to line up, but cutting it this close also meant I didn’t have time to stop by Java Jive before hustling to my appointment at Smith and Harrington. I feel frazzled and slightly off this morning, and I hate it.
Receiving yet another phone call from a blocked number only contributed more unease after drop-off. I may have to consider changing my number because what was at one point a random occurrence seems to be happening multiple times a month now, if not almost weekly. I never say more than hello when I answer, and the caller never says anything at all. I’ve thought about sending them all to voicemail, but what if it’s Liam and he needs to reach me? I make a mental note to ask him about it.
As I walk into the lobby, a smartly dressed man is standing near the front desk holding a tablet, and he looks up, smiling at me warmly. “Good morning, Ms. Callahan-Williams. We haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, but my name is Cian Byrne.” His dark auburn hair is expertly styled, and his suit is perfectly tailored for his solid muscular frame. He doesn’t look like any attorney I’ve ever seen, they don’t usually have such a thick neck and broad shoulders. Does this firm have a bodyguard division I haven’t heard about yet? Even more surprising than his build though is his Irish accent.
I shake his extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Byrne. I’m here to see my attorney, Ms. Lawrence.”
“I know, and please call me Cian. I’m Theo’s assistant, and he obviously needs to do a better job of singing my praises to you.” His dimples pop as he smiles broadly, which only adds to his boyish charm.
“Of course! That’s why your name sounded familiar, I’m sorry. I’m a bit of a mess this morning. You’re Cormac’s brother, right?” Theo mentioned Cian when he told me about his time in Dublin and how both Cian and his older brother Cormac are good friends of his.
“Unfortunately, our mother insists I still claim him but no need for any apologies. Ms. Lawrence is finishing up on a call and her assistant is in with her, so I volunteered to accompany you back to the client lounge to wait.” He extends his hand to the left and I start to walk with him down the hallway. “I wanted to meet you as well, and I know Theo wouldn’t want you to have to wait in the front lobby.”
“Ah, so I get the VIP treatment?” I smile. I like Cian, he gives off a warm and friendly vibe. It would take the right personality type to work for such a strong alpha male like Theo, but I can see how Cian and his calming personality fit well.
“When a named partner, who is also my boss, tells me to make sure you’re taken care of, then you absolutely get the VIP treatment.” I laugh at his candor. “Theo, unfortunately, is in court right now and won’t be back until closer to lunchtime, but he told me to assure you that if you’re still here when he gets back, he will stop in.” Cian opens a glass door, leading to a room that looks like a large home library with couches, club chairs, and large windows that bask the room in natural light. He walks me over to a navy wingback chair, and on a coaster on the side table is an iced coffee from Java Jive. Ever since I ran into him at the coffee shop just after retaining their firm, Theo has remembered my coffee order, and I don’t know why that’s so endearing, but it really is.
“Theo let me know your preferred drink, but if you want anything else, please let me know. I can leave you here to wait, or wait with you, whichever you prefer. It shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes or so.” I’m not sure if the coffee was Cian or Theo’s idea, but the gesture is so thoughtful, in addition to how badly I need the caffeine after the cluster this morning was.
“If you have the time, I’d love if you could wait with me.” If Cian is a good friend of Theo’s, maybe he can give me more insight to the man that is quickly becoming the most interesting man I’ve ever met.
“Aye, I was hoping you would say that. Please, have a seat.” I sit and take a delicious sip of my vanilla iced latte as he steps back to a beverage station and picks up a to-go cup of something hot from Java Jive. “I was either going to join you or take my dark roast back to my desk with me.” I’m not sure how long we wait, but Cian has me laughing at stories of Theo in Dublin and the shenanigans Theo and Cormac would get into. Before I know it, Cian is checking a message on his watch and lettingme know that Pippa is ready to see me. After he walks me to her conference room, I thank him for the coffee and conversation.
“Thank you for the delightful company, Cian. I hope our paths cross again soon,” I tell him as he opens the conference room door for me. I also make a mental note to ask Theo if Cian is single; Vivian has a few single friends that may be a good match for him.
“The pleasure was all mine, ma’am. It’s nice to finally put a face to the lass who Theo keeps mentioning.” Theo has said that while Cian is technically an employee, he views him more as a little brother and close friend. Cian’s comment warms my heart in an unexpected way.
“Thank you for escorting my client back, Cian,” Pippa says as she enters from the door that I have learned connects directly to her office. Cian mock salutes Pippa, who laughs and shakes her head in response as he closes the door behind him.
“Good morning, Savannah. I do apologize for the delay; I wasn’t expecting that call this morning and it was a pressing matter for another client, although I’m sure Cian kept you entertained,” Pippa says as she sits in one of the leather chairs at the conference room table. I sit adjacent to her and set my almost finished coffee on the table.
“No need to apologize. In fact, as your client, I appreciate that you’re willing to step up and take care of your client’s needs if an issue arises.”
“Absolutely. Thankfully in your case, there aren’t any foreign properties being disputed, so I don’t have to deal with magistrates calling me in different time zones around the world.” She smiles as she opens her tablet and briefly reads something on her screen. “First things first, though, before we get into the technical and legal stuff, how are you doing—really?” She sets her tablet down and gives me her full attention. “It’s been a wild few weeks for you, and while I am your attorney, I also have started to consider you a friend.”
“That’s very kind of you; I appreciate it and feel the same about you. I think overall I’m … alright, could be better, could be worse I suppose,” I admit with a shrug.
“As an attorney, I’ve seen all kinds of drama with divorces and family law. There are two things I want you to keep in mind.” I nod as I listen to her. “One is that anything is possible when it comes to human behavior, especially when someone feels cornered about something legally. When someone is reacting to stress, typical behavior can at times go out the window. If someone feels out of control, they may do things to overcompensate that emotion. The second thing is that we are not through this yet, so it may get worse before it gets better.”
“How fabulous for me on both accounts,” I deadpan.
“Probably not the word I’d use, but please remember that you have an excellent team behind you professionally and legally. You also have an incredible supportive network behind you personally. I hope you know that I will do my best to protect you on all fronts, both legally and personally.”
“I appreciate that, Pippa. I really do.”
“So far, Shane hasn’t had much interaction with the girls, but if you’re concerned by his recent behavior, then I also think we should request supervised visits until this is all resolved. That can be with a neutral third party or designating someone you are comfortable with in that capacity,” she explains.
