It’s Ethan who says, “Hey, he’s joking. You don’t have to do anything right now, let alone draft a prenup before your next date.”
My gaze moves toward him. The gleam of worry in his eyes settles me. There’s something in between that worry that says, I’ve got your back.
It’s such a simple gesture, but not only do I believe him, but it also helps me breathe.
“Something tells me that if I make one more comment, Kill here is going to throw me out the window,” Fitz claims, handing me a pile of papers. “Moving on. These are the reports from the trustee. I recommend an audit. Though the people who took over when you were fifteen are trustworthy, you want to confirm that all the ‘Is and Ts’ were taken care of during that time. I don’t want to assume, but I’m guessing you’re not going to become a CEO or CFO any time soon. If you need help managing them—”
“Tucker and I will advise him,” Ethan interrupts once more.
“Still, I’m here as your lawyer. If you need anything that your knight can’t fix, let me know,” Fitz continues as he hands me more paperwork until he gives me a box. “These are the keys and instructions on where to get to each property you own.”
“I need to visit all of them?”
Fitz points at the green folder. “There’s a printed list and USB drive with the information of the companies that manage those properties. Reach out to them as soon as possible so you can learn what they do for you. Some rent out the properties, while others just keep the grounds.”
The overwhelming feeling of having to keep track of businesses, money, and properties overtakes me. I find it interesting that I can keep track of ten energetic preschoolers, my classes, and even two flower shops simultaneously, however when it comes to something I don’t like, my brain just can’t handle it.
Once Fitz leaves the conference room Ethan says, “I recorded the meeting if you want to listen to what he says. I also made notes of what I felt was important. If you want, I’ll take care of the properties for you too.”
“How is it that my parents were able to keep track of all that?”
“You are out of it, aren’t you?” Ethan sits across from me, opening the green folder. “One of the things that Fitz mentioned is that since your grandfather died, the companies have been taken care of by a third party because neither one of your parents was interested in managing them.”
“We should sell everything and donate it.”
“Can we at least see what you own?” he suggests. “We’ll figure out how, to who, and when to sell. You can’t just toss your legacy away.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t make hasty decisions.”
“How about your childhood home?” His question is like an infusion of freezing water in my veins.
“What if I let my grandchildren deal with that?” I laugh, trying to lighten my mood.
“Hey,” he says, holding my gaze and reaching across the table holding my hand. “It’s okay not to be okay. This has been a long day. Why don’t we go out for lunch? You can take another five, ten, or fifty years to think about when to visit that house. There’s nothing urgent to solve. You heard Fitz. He’s going to send over the power of attorney for you to sign so Tucker and I can act on your behalf.”
“Did we agree on that?”
“Let me feed you. Afterward, we can talk about this, or you can call your therapist,” he states.
“Thank you for being here for me,” I state instead of saying, please never leave me again.
“Just remember this moment the next time I enter a meeting, and you say, ‘I got this.’”
“You’re not going to let it go, are you?”
He shakes his head. “Maybe if you let me take care of you today.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Please.” His pleading voice is deep and smoky. “This is more than accepting the inheritance from your parents. It’s facing that you had a shitty life for years while this money sat in a bank account.”
“I’m so fucking weak.”
“You’re heartbreakingly strong and brave. I admire you. I am proud of you.”
I want to believe him, but I’m afraid of his words and the emotions he awakens with them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ethan
It’s bad form to flirt with a man who is having an existential crisis. Is that in the Common Sense and How to Behave in Society guide? Sure, and it might be a chapter or two after: Don’t Kill Your Lawyer Just Because He is Baiting You.
While we were in that meeting, images of how I’d dispose of Fitz’s body after I killed him with my bare hands swam in my mind. They are gone now, replaced by images of Zeke naked. It’s not hard to picture as I see him shirtless more often than I should.
Just this past weekend, we went to Baja with Tucker, Nana, and Alex. I wore my sunglasses all the time so no one would notice that I was staring at his superbly toned body.
I’d have to be dead not to notice him—or want him.
On Sunday, I woke up early and went to the patio to drink my coffee. Instead of having a peaceful moment while I watched the ocean and read the news, I saw him. I swear I almost went into cardiac arrest as my heart rate went haywire. Zeke was close to the pool practicing yoga in nothing but a pair of shorts. Each sculpted muscle tensed as he moved with a grace I never knew he had. He was beautiful. Whoever said that men can’t practice yoga hasn’t seen Zeke mastering a one-legged tree pose.
As Clint drives us toward my place, my mind is going up and down like a seesaw. It lusts after Zeke. It remembers that he’s freaking out, and he doesn’t need a horny friend by his side. I have no idea what to say right now. Not because I’m at a loss for words, but because I might suggest going to the pharmacy for some condoms and lube.
What am I supposed to do?
I’m not the charming one of the two. Teasing him to get him to smile isn’t my style either. I could hug him, but that might fall into the flirting part.
This is worse than when I was a teenager. I was never this awkward, was I?
My phone rings, and I grimace when I see my mother’s name on the screen.
“Who is Isabel H.?” Zeke closes his eyes. The scowl on his face remains. “You know what, I don’t want to know. Actually, I want to go home.”
Is he jealous?
“My mother,” I respond. “It’s the middle of the month. She’s probably calling to ask for more money.”
He takes a long deep breath.
“You might be right, but I don’t know how to just cut her out of my life.”
“I didn’t say anything,” he mumbles.
“Please, it’s all in your face.”
His eyes open. There’s a gleam of anger in them. “I’m sorry if I can’t stand her. I hate that bitch. When I say that word, I don’t say it lightly. She almost killed you. I saw you waking up every night because you were terrified that the next time she wouldn’t miss.”
“But she’s my mother—my family.”
“Sadie is more your mother than that woman. Tuck, Nana, Alex, and I are your family. Kade has taken better care of you than your mother, who has been demanding money from you since you became famous,” he protests.