Page 70 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings 2: The Finale
I told her I couldn’t guarantee anything, and if I was going to report anything, it would be facts and not rumors and gossip.Dallas Glade was a very assertive and direct woman if nothing else. She didn’t push me to feed her information and made it clear that wasn’t how she operated. My first few articles were solid, giving anyone who didn’t know a glimpse into Oak Bluffs and what this small town was all about.She wanted an exclusive with the Mareks regarding their line of whiskey, but I hadn’t worked up the nerve to ask any of them to participate yet. With the deadline approaching, I thought I might bring it to Ivo’s attention soon.
“Emerald?” Jordan’s voice dragged me from my current thoughts as I stood at the check-in counter for Parent Tree.
It was nine thirty-seven in the morning, and I’d had two cups of coffee that now had me jittery as hell. Jury and Sapphire were having breakfast when I left. I told her I had an appointment and that we would talk and hang out when I got back later today. She was cool with spending time with her uncle though. Sapphire didn’t talk to her like she was four. Jury was very intelligent and perceptive for her age too, so she could hold a conversation with the best of them. It was one of the things I loved most about her.
“Hey,” I greeted her, forcing a smile on my lips.
“How are you doing? I feel like we haven’t seen each other in weeks.”
“That’s because we haven’t,” I countered. “I’ve been so busy with my brother and this new work schedule.”
“That’s right, you started a new job. Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” I nodded as the door swung open.
Ivo paused, glancing between me and his wife, stealing my breath in the process. I know I’d just seen him last night, but he looked even better today. Jordan’s gaze volleyed from himto me as we subtly acknowledged one another. I’d been a mess for weeks before seeing him last night. At first, I blamed myself, thinking I’d done something wrong, and it eventually went from guilt to anger when I realized he was the one at fault. Ivo made it obvious where we stood, so there was no turning back. The only thing we could do was move forward and make this whole surrogacy a thing of the past.
“Oh, so you did get all the messages I left.” Jordan rolled her eyes. “Nice of you to be here.”
“I had a lot going on. I’m here now. Let’s get this over with.”
“If you were going to walk in here with a bad attitude, what even was the point, Ivo? This is supposed to be a happy occasion,” Jordan chimed in.
Keeping quiet, I lowered my eyes to the ground and found myself an empty chair. I didn’t want to be caught up in the middle of their shit. My reasons for even being here were purely selfish. I just had to push through it and remember why I was doing this. My cell rang and I saw that it was Juke hitting me up just as I settled into one of the waiting chairs. Sighing, I picked up, prepared to be annoyed by whatever he had to say.
“Hello.”
“Em, what’s up? How’s Jury?”
“She’s fine. With Sapphire while I’m at this appointment.” I sighed. “We got home and she went right to sleep.”
“That’s what’s up. I miss her already, but I made it home. I just wanted to check on her.”
“She’s fine, Juke. Enjoy your kid-free time while you can. I’m going to take advantage of every minute with her.”
“I know you are. I already talked to my lawyer and got some shit in motion. They want to set a hearing here for the week after Jury gets home. You think you can make that so we can modify the agreement?”
“Absolutely,” I agreed.
“Bet. I’ll just hit you later with the details.”
“Okay, thanks for the update.” I quickly hung up and couldn’t hide my excitement.
“What was that about?” Jordan asked nosily as she settled in the chair beside me, and Ivo took the one across from us.
“Oh, just my ex hitting me up about a new court date. He dropped Jury off last night, and we’re already talking about moving back to a joint custody agreement.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I thought he had concerns . . . about you and your mental health. The fact that you don’t have a decent job.” I’m not sure if her words were meant to be concerning or comforting, but they had me side-eyeing Jordan as I tucked my cell into my purse.
“Not anymore. We talked last night while he was here and came to an understanding. He knows I was in a bad place, and I’m not anymore. I also have a cool new job, making more money, and my schedule is flexible. I can work from home most of the time. Only going into the office for staff meetings and whatnot.”
“Oh, well that’s good!” Jordan sifted through her Birkin bag in her lap until she came across a prescription pill bottle. “My anxiety is through the roof right now!” she said, popping the top to the bottle and taking two of the pills without a drop of water.
It reminded me of when we were kids, and she was on all kinds of antidepressants and other medications. When she went to live with her auntie during high school, she had problems with depression and anxiety. Now she was just a grown ass neurotic woman popping pills.
“I hope this doesn’t take all damn day!” She glanced at the Rolex on her wrist. “I was hoping we could have lunch or something together.”
“I have to get back home to Jury.”
