Читать книгу Second Chance Seduction - Monica Richardson - Страница 10
ОглавлениеEdward stood across the room from her and admired long, lean legs, a round butt and perfectly exhibited breasts. Her hair was short and sassy, not long and flowing as when they were together. She smiled at the gentleman in front of her and then pushed her bangs out of her face. Edward was in awe of her for a moment. This wasn’t the woman he remembered. No, this lady was self-assured and sexy—not the timid young woman that he once knew.
She finally looked his way and gave a nod of acknowledgment. It was her idea that they meet at her downtown office instead of her West Palm Beach home. He noticed that she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with him visiting her space, even if it was for a good reason. The last few times, she’d suggested that they meet at a park or a restaurant to facilitate the exchange. Things had become much more impersonal, against his wishes.
She gave him a smile and headed his way. The smile, he remembered. It was genuine and wholesome—not to mention gorgeous. She led the way, and he followed her to a beautiful office with art that adorned the walls. The walls were painted in warm hues of orange—Savannah’s favorite color. He immediately recognized the portrait of the colorful Eiffel Tower, an urban piece that they’d picked up when they honeymooned in Paris. He sat in the leather wingback chair and stared at the woman who sat across from him. He picked up the framed photograph from her desk—the one of their daughter, Chloe. His girls, as he used to call them.
“I talked to my mother the other day.”
“Really?” He leaned back in the chair and glanced at Savannah’s face. Tried to read her expression at the mention of her mother.
“Yes.” Her face was blank.
It seemed that she was trying to shield her emotions from him, but he knew her all too well. He knew that her relationship with her mother had been strained and was the reason for many years of inner turmoil for Savannah.
“What was that conversation like?” he asked.
“It was long and—” a subtle little smile appeared in the corner of her mouth “—and genuine, actually.”
“Really?” He was surprised.
“I’d like to go to London and spend some time with her.”
“Okay, that’s nice. A week or so?”
“Maybe longer.”
“What about your job?”
Savannah exhaled and leaned her head against the back of the leather chair. “They’re downsizing. Letting some people go. This is actually my last few weeks here.”
“Savannah, I’m sorry.” Edward crossed his leg over the other one. “What will you do? Have you been putting your résumé out there?”
“I’d like to look for a job while I’m in London.”
“You’re thinking of relocating there?”
She nodded a yes.
“What about Chloe?”
“She would go, too,” she stated matter-of-factly. Like it was the most normal thing in the world to take a man’s child clear across the world.
He took in a deep breath, gathering himself before he spoke again. But he could feel his anger boiling. His daughter meant the world to him, and he couldn’t imagine her living in another state, let alone another country. He couldn’t fathom the thought. Wouldn’t. No. It was out of the question.
“You’re not moving to London with Chloe.” He was calm, but emphatic.
“Not right away, I know.”
“Not at all!”
“You’re being unreasonable, Edward.”
He sat up in the chair. “How do you propose I see my daughter if you take her to England, Savannah? Are you going to fly her here for my weekend visits? And what about Christmas and summer breaks?”
He’d already found it difficult to manage a week without seeing Chloe’s little face. He couldn’t even imagine not seeing her for longer than that.
“We’ll figure something out.”
“We’ll figure something out?” he asked. “She’s just as much my daughter as she is yours, and I won’t allow it.”
“You’re telling me what you won’t allow? What gives you the right?”
“I have rights when it comes to my daughter. And I will exercise them if I need to.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He stood. Headed toward the door. “It’s not a threat, Savannah. It’s a promise.”
Their marriage had ended in divorce after a short eighteen months. It was the one thing that Edward had failed at. He’d excelled in college and breezed through law school. He’d run for mayor, and lost—but had landed a position on the West Palm Beach City Commission. A place where he could actually make a difference for the people in his community. However, the mayoral campaign had robbed him of his marriage. A newlywed with a pregnant wife at home, he’d gotten too caught up in his career. Not to mention he’d spent too much time with his beautiful campaign manager. Although he’d never cheated on Savannah with Quinn, the closeness of their relationship had caused more of a disturbance than his new marriage could take.
One of the best things about Edward’s marriage to Savannah, though, had been their daughter, Chloe. He needed his daughter like the air he breathed. He needed to see her every single day. They’d become the best of friends. In her five years of life, he was astounded at the things that she knew. He didn’t want to miss one single moment of her life. But now Savannah threatened to take it all away. He wouldn’t allow her to do it. Couldn’t.
“What do you want from me, Edward? Do you want me to put my life...my career on hold again?”
“This is not about your career, or mine for that matter. This is about our daughter. If you want to go to London to make amends with your mother and build a new career, that’s fine. But don’t take Chloe away from me. She’s all I have.”
“I couldn’t leave her here. I won’t,” she said. “This is something I have to do, Edward. I’m sorry.”
It seemed that he’d been dismissed.
“Get yourself a good lawyer, Savannah,” he spat, and then stormed out of her office.
He needed air.
He walked briskly and managed to make it to the parking garage, loosened his tie and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. He collapsed into the driver’s seat of his sedan and sat there for a moment. Listened while Omar Sosa’s Afro-Cuban rhythms soothed his senses. He hated fighting with Savannah, but it seemed more frequent lately. Not long ago, they’d debated over which private school to send Chloe to and which curriculum would be better suited for her. They’d argued about whether to place her in a karate class or ballet. A week ago they’d argued about something as simple as Chloe’s bob haircut. He thought she was too young for such a grown-up style. She was a kindergartner, for Christ’s sake. He’d been active in every decision about his daughter, but not the one where Savannah planned to take her thousands of miles away. It seemed unfair.
He pulled out onto Clematis Street and breezed through the yellow light. His heart ached. He scrolled through the address book on his phone and looked for Jack Wesley’s phone number. He didn’t want to involve his attorney—in fact he’d only said it to get Savannah’s attention—but he needed to know what his rights were regarding his daughter.
“JW!” Edward exclaimed. “How the hell are you?”
“I’m making it,” Jack said. “Trying my best to keep a good law practice and maintain a happy marriage all at the same time.”
“Well, I can’t help you in that area, bro. I failed tremendously at my marriage.”
“You failed because you didn’t put in the effort. Savannah was a good woman.”
“All of that is neither here nor there.”
“Do you miss her?” Jack asked.
“What? Of course not,” Edward lied. He would never let his friend know that he regretted every moment since Savannah left. “She has her life and I have mine.”
“Right,” a skeptical Jack said.
“I didn’t call you to talk about my failed marriage to Savannah. I need some advice regarding Chloe.”
“What about Chloe?”
“Savannah’s trying to take her to London...to live! Can you believe that?” Edward asked. “I need to know what my rights are.”
“Have you had lunch already?”
“Not yet.”
“Meet me at the little chicken and waffles spot on Okeechobee in thirty minutes.”
“Bro, fried chicken and waffles? How about something a little healthier?”
“You’re still on that kick,” Jack stated. He sighed. “Have you completely given up meat?”
“No, of course not. I’ve traded red meat and pork for chicken, fish and tofu. I’m just eating healthier, man, that’s all.”
“I see. You choose, then.”
“Darbster. Dixie Highway.”
“Do they have anything that resembles meat?”
“Tofu.” Edward laughed.
“Ah, man.”
“Keep an open mind,” said Edward. “I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.”
Edward hit the end button on his phone. Turned up the volume on his music. He was anxious to speak with Jack. Surely he would receive some good advice from his old friend. Jack would tell him exactly how to go about keeping his daughter in the country. He felt better already, less helpless. Cocky, even.
* * *
He slid into the booth at the restaurant and gave the menu a quick scan. He already knew what he wanted—it was a place that he frequented often. He ordered his usual meal and then ordered something for Jack.
“And bring two glasses of water, please,” he said to the female server.
He raised his hand when he saw Jack walk through the door. His friend looked worn, as though he needed a vacation. He removed his suit jacket and slid into the booth across from Edward. Gave him a strong slap of the hands and a handshake.
“Good to see you.”
“Likewise.” Edward grinned. “I took the liberty of ordering for you.”
“And why would you do that?”
“Because I know this isn’t your kind of place,” Edward said, “but you’ll be thanking me later.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Soon the server arrived with two piping-hot plates of food and set them down in front of the men. Jack frowned at the sight of his.
“Don’t knock it until you try it,” said Edward.
“I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
“Good,” Edward said, and then went on to explain what transpired at Savannah’s office earlier.
“You overreacted, bro.” Jack frowned as he picked over his meal. He pushed the tofu aside and managed to get the vegetables into his mouth. “But you do have rights regarding your daughter. The question is, are you up for a fight with Savannah?”
“I can’t let her take Chloe away without a fight.”
“Perhaps you two can work something out without involving the courts. Summer is approaching. Maybe you can convince her to let Chloe spend the summer with you. You’d deliver her to London safe and sound in the fall, just before school starts. Maybe you can get her again around Christmastime or spring break.”
“That won’t work,” Edward said emphatically. “I need to see her at least once a week. And besides, we have a custody plan that says I get her every week. She can’t just wake up one morning and decide she wants to move to the other side of the earth.”
“Well, if you’re not in agreement with the move, then Savannah must file a petition for relocation with the court. The family court judge will take into consideration what’s in the best interest of the child. Stuff like how Chloe’s relationship with you will be impacted if she takes her away. Also, how the move will impact her mental, physical and emotional development.”
“Okay.”
“And whether or not the relationship with you can be preserved...kind of like the arrangement that I suggested in the beginning.”
“Can’t be preserved,” Edward said.
“Then once she files, we have a short deadline to object to the move,” Jack said. “I’ll get the paperwork started as soon as I return to my office so we’ll be ready.”
“You’re a lifesaver, man.” Edward smiled. Exhaled.
“We’ll have to contend with a court hearing. Maybe even a trial, if it goes that far.” Jack sipped on his ice water. “Are you up for that?”
“What choice do I have?” Edward said. “I’m up for it if she is. She started this whole thing.”
“I’m just asking, because I know it’s been a long, hard road for you and Savannah in the past. I was just wondering if you’re willing to go down that road again.”
“I don’t want to fight with Savannah again. It was a painful time.”
“I remember. I was right there with you.”
“Yes, you were. You’ve been a great friend.”
“I just hate to see you go through that again. And you two have finally gotten this co-parenting thing down.”
“Right. We have.”
“You’ve made it through some tough times. Not to mention that whole bogus engagement thing Savannah had with her corny boss.” Jack grinned. “If you can make it through that, you can make it through anything.”
“Don’t remind me of that fool.”
Jack laughed. “You were so jealous.”
“I wasn’t jealous!”
“You were beyond jealous. I knew then that you were still in love with that woman.”
“What?” Edward denied Jack’s claims. “I’m not in love with her. I do love her in a family sort of way...kind of like I love my sisters.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you love Savannah like you love your sisters.” Jack laughed. “But if that’s your story...”
“That’s my story.” Edward laughed, too. “And I’m sticking with it.”
“Maybe you should just move to London, too,” Jack said.
“Go to hell!” said Edward.
“I’m only kidding, bro. I know this is a serious situation for you.” Jack wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Let me see what we can work out. Perhaps we won’t have to go to court at all.”
“That would be great.”
Savannah had surprised him with the divorce. She’d claimed that she needed to get away and had gone to Georgia for a lengthy visit with her father. After several long weeks, instead of returning to their home in Florida as Edward had anticipated, Savannah had decided to stay in Georgia with her father. Soon she’d had Edward served and completely caught him off guard. And if divorcing him wasn’t enough, she asked for alimony and child support. She wanted the family home and asked that he continue to pay the mortgage until she was gainfully employed. He wouldn’t be blindsided by her again.
In fact, when he was done reading Savannah her rights, she wouldn’t know what hit her.
