Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Raised voices alerted me to Pastor Scott’s attempt to stop us from leaving, but the officers didn’t let them approach the vehicle. Instead, the officer who’d interviewed me came close enough to confirm we were allowed to leave.
Tully’s boss approached him at the rear of the vehicle, where Tully was loading up the diaper bag and exchanging a few final words with Susanna. I didn’t hear what he said, but I could see the conflicted expression on Tully’s face.
When the older man finally walked away, Tully climbed into the driver’s seat.
Kenji and I exchanged a look.
“I’m sure we can find our way back to Katie’s with navigation,” I began. “If you need to go with—”
“No.”
He didn’t say anything, simply waited for us to load up. Kenji and I exchanged places without speaking. He immediately began entertaining Lellie in the back seat while I slipped into the passenger seat next to Tully.
The first part of the drive was quiet. Traffic was high since it was rush hour, and Tully seemed focused on the road. I wanted to say something… ask him what his boss had said, apologize for embracing him earlier, or just plain thank him again for keeping Mrs. Scott from taking Lellie. But I sensed he wanted time to think.
After several more minutes, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I reached out and rubbed the muscles of his neck and shoulders. “I’m stressed just looking at you,” I murmured softly.
He glanced over at me, the Gulf-blue eyes both familiar and intoxicating. “My boss said he expects me in the office for a meeting first thing.”
“You in trouble?”
His eyes returned to the road. “Trouble? No. I haven’t technically done anything wrong. And he seems to appreciate the fact I’m spending all this time ‘keeping an eye on you.’” He let out a breath. “But he didn’t repudiate what Mrs. Scott did, and it’s clear he still wants to support their custody challenge.”
I huffed out a laugh. “I can’t imagine today’s events are going to help their case. That’s the one good thing that will come from getting the cops involved.”
He nodded. “Right. So why can’t he see that? Why is he still trying to help them? I mean… I know the answer. The Scotts are one of the firm’s biggest clients. I’m just incredibly disappointed to see him acting in his own best interests instead of the best interest of a minor child, even after I told him what a good father you were, what a great life you could give Lellie.”
My stomach flipped in a good way. Tully’s faith in me meant… a lot.
I moved my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and kept rubbing his tight muscles as he drove us home. The sound of Kenji’s soothing voice speaking to Lellie assured me all was well in the back seat.
“He probably still thinks the Scotts are the best choice for her, Tully,” I admitted. “Most people would. Especially more traditionally minded folks who have ingrained ideas of what a proper family looks like.”
“Why are you so f-freaking reasonable?” he muttered, stopping himself from cursing. It was something I was still doing a shit job of, but I appreciated him keeping Lellie’s delicate ears in mind.
I shrugged. “It’s easier for me to believe that it’s not personal—that he thinks the Scotts would be best because they fit his idea of a heteronormative, two-parent family—than for me to think he has something against me in particular.”
Tully glanced at me again. “You’re the best choice, Dev. I hope you know that.”
Kenji made a soft sound of agreement in the back seat before reaching out to squeeze my shoulder.
I sighed and sat back in my seat. “Well, let’s just hope the courts agree. At least we’re a little closer to proving it now.”
When we got back to the house, Lellie was dead asleep in her car seat. I carried her inside and changed her diaper before putting her in the crib in her room. Thankfully, she was good at transferring and stayed asleep. Unfortunately, the late nap was most likely going to seriously fuck up our night.
When I made my way back downstairs to the kitchen, Kenji was seated at the table, typing away on his laptop while Tully was unloading a grocery delivery. He’d kicked off his shoes and was barefoot in his suit pants and Oxford shirt, which made my stomach tighten with desire. My city boy looked amazing in his suits, but I would always think he looked better when he unbuttoned a bit.
My breath caught. My city boy? Maybe it shouldn’t have felt so right to think of him that way, but it did.
He glanced over and caught me staring at him. “I told Kenji we’re taking a two-hour break from discussing the situation at the clinic and its related issues. Instead, we’re going to swap embarrassing childhood stories. I vote Kenji starts.”