"G irl, you better tell me who that handsome lumberjack of a man was that was standing in this office yesterday afternoon looking for you," Eduardo says under his breath as he follows me into my office. He's on my heels and pressing for answers. Eduardo knows how to charm answers out of anyone. It's what makes him an amazing attorney. He knows when to smile, knows when to focus and be serious, but it's his charm that seals the deal every time .
"I don't know what you're talking about," I throw over my shoulder, walking as fast as I can in these damn heels. The safety of my office is still out of sight. I juggle my briefcase and purse in my arms as I lift my arm to glance at my watch, hoping Eduardo takes a hint that I'm busy, when in fact I'm just late. I don’t have any current cases and my calendar is still clear from my extended absence from when I went back to Crescent Ridge .
My office door closes with a bang behind us and I spin around to find Eduardo with a smirk on his face. "Details. Now." He saunters over as I throw myself down into my office chair .
I let my purse and briefcase fall to my feet as I sink into the oversized leather chair. "I don't even know what you're talking about," I lie to him and roll my eyes. Except my entire body shivers when I think of Cole's hands all over me just a few hours ago .
I cross my legs to drown out the throbbing between my legs and fall lazily into a daydream…Waking up next to Cole this morning…His touch, his body, everything was exactly as I remembered. He still knows my body like no other, every tender spot, every curve. He still owns me .
"Hello, earth to Frances." Eduardo snaps his fingers, pulling me out of my daze. "Oooh, he's got you good." He purses his lips and rubs his hands together, leaning against the edge of my desk. "Tell me. Who is he ?"
I sigh and look at Eduardo hesitantly. "An old friend ."
He briskly shakes his head from side to side, not buying a word of what I'm telling him. "Not buying that bullshit, sweetheart. Try again." His lips pull into a wide smile exposing his perfectly straight, white teeth .
"My ex," I finally blurt out in defeat and sink further into my desk chair .
"Good God, woman…this is going to be a good story. Spill it ."
I shake my head, fighting back the tears that sting behind my eyes. I’m not ready to share this yet. The way Cole can open me up scares the living hell out of me. He made promises and begged for new beginnings, and I'm honestly scared out of my mind. There is no one who can destroy me like he can—and I'm not sure I'd survive another break-up with him .
Eduardo reaches for my chin and tilts my head to the side. "Is that a love bite?" he gasps, brushing my hair over my shoulder .
I snap my head away from him and pull my hair back over the front of my shoulders, concealing my neck .
"Stop it!" I push Eduardo away, smacking his chest .
"I'm kidding!" He busts out laughing, and I swat at him childishly with both of my hands. He leans away as I smack his arm. "Please tell me you did not sleep with him…or did you?" Eduardo grasps my forearm, his tone turning more serious .
I look at him guiltily and pull my lips into my mouth. Clearly, I suck at lying .
"Oh, girl, you did. What the hell were you thinking ?"
"Shush." I pull him closer. "This is not the place to talk about this." I look over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching us. I narrow my eyes at him and pick up my purse, shoving it into my desk drawer. A sign that I need him to leave so I can get my day started, but he shakes his head .
"Nope. Nuh-uh. You're not going to dive into work before giving me every gory little detail. I saw that hunk of a man walk in here yesterday — "
I throw my hand up to stop him, and he grabs my wrist, forcing me to smile at him. I'm a mess of emotions. Happy…sad…scared .
"He is gorgeous, isn't he?" I smirk. "Dark hair, rippling muscles, those blue eyes...his big …"
"Stop it. You're making me feel things about a straight man," he jokes with me. "But seriously. Can we go get coffee and talk ?"
I power up my laptop and turn back around in my desk chair to face him .
"Fine. But you need to go with me to Ted's house at lunch and box up a few things ."
He winks. "Deal ."
* * *
"J esus Christ, Frances," Eduardo hisses as he takes a sip of coffee. "Your life just came full circle ."
I nod and let out a soft sigh, running my finger around the rim of my cardboard coffee cup .
"So what are you going to do ?"
I look at my friend sitting across the table from me and all that fear comes racing back. I barely manage a whisper, "I don't know ."
He reaches out and pulls my hand into his. "Don't make any decisions right now. Take your time to think about it ."
I swallow hard, choking down the lump in my throat. "There's just so much to think about," I start. "I love working as an attorney and there isn't really an opportunity for that in Crescent Ridge…but I don't know that I want to lose him again — "
Eduardo shakes his head animatedly. "Do not make this about him, Frances. This is about you. You get to do what you want to do. Go where you want to go. If he cares about you, that’s what he’ll want as well ."
"He does,” I admit, remembering Cole telling me that very thing last night, that I was his dream. “He told me we'd make it work regardless of where I am ."
"Good." He squeezes my hand and offers me a tight smile. "But just so you know, there are a million things you can still do in the legal field from Crescent Ridge. You can teach classes online, you can volunteer with numerous non-profits, and don't fool yourself, Frances, people need legal assistance even in Crescent Ridge. You could start your own law office ."
My heart leaps in my chest as Eduardo encourages me with all the opportunities I have .
He adds, "You may not make ass loads of money…but, Frances, you're not making ass loads now. That's not why you practice law. I see your passion—that's what it's about ."
"It was never about money for me." I stare at the steam coming off my cup of coffee and hope suddenly fills me. "That's not why I do this ."
Eduardo nods approvingly. "I also saw what the Morrison-Longmire case did to you. Yeah, you brought justice to those families, but I also saw how it ate you up.” He pats my hand. “That's not healthy. Maybe a slower pace will be better for you ."
I look at Eduardo and smile…a true smile. One that pulls at my lips and no matter how hard I fight it I can't make it go away. "Thank you, Eduardo. I don't know what I'd do without a friend like you ."
He smirks. "I don't either…because no one else is going to help you pack up your shit at Ted's house." He shudders at the sound of Ted's name, but I can’t help but laugh. For the first time in a long time, I feel the beginning of happiness .
* * *
"Y our life literally fits into six boxes," Eduardo remarks, hanging the last of my clothes in the hanging garment box .
I close a box of important documents and jewelry that I'm taking with me. "When I moved in with Ted, I sold everything I had. I didn't need to bring anything here. And for anything we've acquired together…he can have it, I don't want it." It's remarkable to me how quickly my feelings for Ted have changed. I don't even care about him anymore—it almost feels as if a weight I didn't know I was carrying was lifted off my shoulders. Thank God, I didn't marry him .
"Have you spoken to him?" Eduardo winces .
"No. He keeps texting me and I keep ignoring. I did tell him I'd be by this evening to box up my belongings, but I didn't want to chance seeing him, that's why I decided to come this afternoon." I grin slyly at Eduardo who just shakes his head at me .
"When are the delivery guys coming ?"
I look at my phone and smile. "In about fifteen minutes ."
"Girl, you are sneaky." He whistles as he tapes up the box. "Good riddance, though. I was not sad to see this relationship end." Tossing the roll of packing tape on the floor, he walks over to me and pulls me into a gentle hug. "I don't mean to be so smug. I know this isn't easy…but everything happens for a reason, Frances. Seize this opportunity." He looks at me poignantly .
I wrap my arms around Eduardo in return and sink into his embrace as his truths hit me like a brick wall. It does feel good to be rid of Ted, and he's right—everything happens for a reason. "I plan to," I mumble against his chest .