“I’m gonna go see her.”
When I walk into A Whole Latte Love, there’s a few patrons and Eden’s standing behind the counter. “I need an iced coffee, stat,” I beg as I walk up to the register.
She grins, her brown eyes twinkling. “That after lunch drag hitting you hard?”
“It’s more like I wanna play hooky.”
“Doesn’t it suck owning your own business? There’s no way you can call in because there’s no one else to do the job.”
“Oh my God, you hit the nail right on the head. Sometimes I don’t want to be responsible.”
“Unfortunately the bills have to be paid though.”
I sigh as she starts making my coffee. “Don’t I understand it? Maybe one day we’ll be rich enough to have our own staffs.”
“That’s the life.” She sighs along with me. “Here’s your coffee.”
“Thanks.” I grab a ten dollar bill out of my wallet, handing it to her.
“Your money is no good here, Shelby.” She tries to push it back to me.
“No, you forget that as a fellow small business owner, I know we aren’t ever going to have a staff if we keep giving our shit away for free.”
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, but at least let me give you your change.”
“I’ll allow that.” I hold out my hand, laughing as she makes a face. “If your mouth doesn’t say it, your face will,” I giggle.
“Unfortunately you’re right about that.”
Scooping up my change and coffee, I give her a wave. “See ya, I need to get back to work. Hopefully this will take me through my rut.”
“See ya,” she answers my wave with one of her own.
Exiting the coffee shop, I feel the sun on my face and I take a moment to tilt up into it. The winter was long and lonely, but the spring and summer months are definitely looking up. Maybe I can convince Sully to take me to Paradise Lost and show me around. Although I’m from the south, I’ve never been to the beach, and I’ve heard his hometown has one of the best in the world.
I’m so lost in my own thoughts I don’t notice the car outside my office, and I don’t pay attention to the man standing inside until we’re face-to-face with one another.
Frank Gentry.
“Can I help you?” Somehow I manage to keep the fear out of my voice.
His eyes stare me down. Blue fire and a hatred I’ve never seen before. In Houston I defended victims against some of the cruelest of criminals, yet I’ve never seen eyes as cold as this man’s.
“Yeah, you can tell me what the fuck you talked that old bitch into.”
My head whips back as if he’s reached out and slapped me. “Excuse me?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Her millions were going to be mine until you talked her into giving them to Montana.”
“I can’t discuss with you what your grandmother wanted for her final wishes. She’s deceased and it doesn’t negate attorney/client privilege. I have nothing to tell you, Frank. I’d appreciate it if you left.”
He turns from me, his back rigid. My eyes stray to his hands which are clenched in fists at his side. I have a seat on my desk, discreetly pulling my phone closer to my body. This situation doesn’t feel good to me and I want to make sure I have a way to call for help.
“Don’t tell me to leave.” He faces me quickly. “You’re going to listen to me.”
“No, I’m not. There’s nothing for us to discuss.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. We have a lot to discuss.” He advances toward me.
As quickly as I can, I try to dial 911, but the phone is ripped out of my hand before I can finish.
“No, no we don’t.”
“Yes we do.” He grabs hold of my shoulder. “I need that money!”
I fight against his grip. “It makes no difference what you need. Your grandmother signed a legally binding document. There’s nothing you’re going to be able to do to change it, Mr. Gentry.”
“Don’t placate me. Don’t sit there and sanctimoniously call me Mr. Gentry,” he says the words between clenched teeth.
“I’m asking you to think about what you’re doing here, and leaving. You’re already in enough trouble.”
“No thanks to you, you stupid bitch!”
“You think calling me a bitch makes me hate you?” I scream back at him.
“It gets under your skin,” he baits me.
“All it does is make you feel like a bigger man.” I jerk my arm free of his grip, folding it over my chest.
“I’ll show you what makes me feel like a bigger man.” He pushes me back against the wall, raising his arm over my head.
Instinctively I twist away from him.
“Shelby! I know I’m early!”
I’ve never been so glad to hear Rowan’s voice in my life. Frank drops my hand, releasing me from the wall.
I push as far away from him as I can. Rowan walks into my office, immediately stopping as she undoubtedly feels the tension in the room.
“Is everything okay here?”
“It’s fine.” He gives us both a smile as he exits the office.
“Is it?” she asks as she takes a look at me.
I’m shaking, running my hands through my hair. “It will be,” I sigh. “I’m ready for that walk.”
“Shelby, do you want me to call Sullivan?” she questions.
As much as I want her to, I can’t lean on him like this. Whenever things go wrong, I can’t call him and lay all my problems out to him. There are some things I need to take care of on my own.
“No, I got this. Let me go change.”
Going into the bathroom, I close and lock the door. Not because I don’t feel safe with Rowan, but because I need to that extra layer of security right now. That bastard coming into a place I’ve always felt comfortable in pisses me off. Slamming the lid down, I have a seat and let the tremors go through my body. Before I decide I’m not going to let him fuck up my day.
“I’m inviting him to help me pick out a wedding dress,” Ro says, slightly breathless as we stroll through downtown.
“Sullivan?” I try to keep the laughter out of my voice.
“Yeah,” she chuckles. “He’s my best friend.”
“Which tells me more than anything about what a good guy he is.”
“He is, he’s a great guy. Which is why I’ve always wanted him to have the best there is. I have to tell you.” She stops, looking at me. “I’ve never seen him as happy as he is with you.”
“The same could be said for me.”
“Are you going to tell him about what happened with Frank? You can’t convince me something didn’t happen with him.”
I’m quiet as I wonder what I want to do.
I want to be a strong woman. One that Sullivan deserves.
“I haven't decided yet, but I’ll do what I think is best.”
Chapter 29
Shelby
“Frank was notified yesterday by certified mail.”