Page 84 of Second Dance
Ben gathered the papers with deliberate precision. “Men like him rarely walk away clean. He’ll come back. And when he does, he’ll want more.”
I stayed there, staring at the greasy fingerprint Darren had left behind on the table. Just hours ago, I’d been replaying Gillian’s laughter in my head, the sound of her voice under the Napa stars. Now, all that peace felt fragile—like a dream already slipping away.
Panic fluttered in my chest, choking me. Darren still had power. And there wasn’t a thing I could do about it but pray. He would not win in court, of that I felt certain. But what toll would a trial take on my children who had already suffered so much?
By the time I pulled into Gillian’s driveway, the knot in my chest had spread to my stomach. Darren’s smirk, the way he’d pushed the folder back across the table, every moment spent in his presence replaying in my mind in a tortuous loop. I’d thought he’d take the deal. But he seemed to be enjoying himself too much. He would string me along for as long as he could.
Sitting in the car, I texted Peter to make sure he was safe at home. He texted back that he was fine. Sonya had just made him pancakes and sausages.
I got out of the car and walked toward the house. The front door opened before I could knock. Gillian stood there in leggings and a tight workout shirt, her hair loose around her shoulders. I wanted to slump against her, have her hold me up, but I didn’t want Bella to see me that way.
“Hey there,” she said, her smile faltering when she got a good look at my face.
“I’m sorry I’m so late,” I said. “It’s been a morning.”
“It’s no problem. But Bella’s not here. She and Grace want to cook us dinner, and Esme offered to take them shopping. I thought I’d better wait here for you.”
I tried for a smile. “Dinner. That’s nice.”
She stepped aside to let me in. “It’s pretty cute. Come on in. Do you want coffee? Something to eat?”
I shook my head. “No thanks. I couldn’t eat or drink at the moment.”
She held my hand, leading me over to the couch. Socks and Clementine took one look at me and darted upstairs.
“Don’t mind them,” Gillian said. “They’re horrible little creatures.”
Normally that would have made me laugh, but I was too distraught. I sank onto the couch, my elbows on my knees, head in my hands. The cushion dipped as Gillian sat beside me, close enough that her thigh pressed against mine.
“Tell me what happened.” She brushed her fingers through my hair.
I exhaled, rubbing my temples with my fingers, before looking at her. “Ben presented our offer—money in exchange for Darren signing over his rights to both kids. He wouldn’t commit. Said he’d ‘think about it.’”
“Do you think he’s holding out for more money?”
“Without a doubt.” The words came out harsher than I meant them to. “He wanted more. And men like Darren always want more. He’ll drag this out as long as he can squeeze something from it.”
Her hand settled on my back, between my shoulder blades, and I felt the tension there like a coiled spring. “Alex, Bella and Peter have you. That’s what matters. Whatever game Darren’s playing, they know who their father is.”
I turned to look at her. “This could go to court. Which is the last thing I want for the kids. The courts will give me custody, I don’t doubt that. But a trial would disrupt Bella and Peter’s lives, and that’s the last thing they need. Not after losing their mom. It’s too much.” A sob rose from my chest. “Gillie, I don’t know what to do.”
Her hand slid to my shoulder, and she shifted closer. “It’s going to be okay. The kids are tough. And I’ll be here with you and for the kids.”
My throat tightened. I reached up, covering her hand with mine. “I hate that this is what I’m dealing with when I want to focus on you. On us. On the fact that I’m falling in love with you. Again.”
Gillian’s breath caught. She hugged me, resting her chin on my shoulder for a second. “I feel the same way. But as we’ve talked about before, complications are a part of being a human. Especially when you have kids.”
“Are you sure about this? About me? I’m a mess, and I’m yanking you into it.” My voice cracked on the last word.
She cupped my face, turning me toward her. Her eyes were fierce. “I’m sure.”
I leaned into her touch. The warmth of her palm against my jaw, the steadiness in her voice keeping me from falling completely apart.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I said, barely above a whisper. “Thank you for being here.”
“You’ve already thanked me, but you’re welcome.” Her fingers threaded into my hair, and she brushed her mouth against mine. “Please, try not to worry. It’s all going to work out in the end.”
I wanted to believe her. Sitting there with her wrapped around me, I almost did.
