Page 59 of Never After Us
“Promise.”
ChapterSeventeen
Alec
So much for avoiding Mara and her child.
It’s impossible.It’s like the universe heard me swear I’d keep my distance and immediately rearranged the schedule.
I called Eddie to help me figure out what to do—maybe get advice, maybe get a way out—and instead, I’m dragged into their penthouse.Again.Apparently, the lawyer handling her aunt’s estate is incompetent, and somehow that means Eddie and I now form a two-man rescue squad.
It doesn’t take long for Eddie and Mara to get Mr.Hanley, the estate attorney, on the phone.Eddie smooth-talks, Mara stands her ground, and within ten minutes, they’ve convinced the man to stop acting like she should already know the legal code of the state she moved to less than a week ago.
Eddie hangs up with a satisfied grunt.
“Now that that’s done?—”
He rubs his hands together, as if brushing off dust no one else can see, then pivots toward Mila.
“So ...Do we need tutors for her?”
“I want to go to school,” Mila says immediately, arms crossed, voice fierce for someone wearing socks with cartoon puppies.
Eddie taps his chin, thinking.“Well, the school year is almost over.What’s your take on being the new kid for only a few months?”
Mila swivels to face her mom.“He makes it sound bad.”
Mara lifts a shoulder in a way that’s both apologetic and honest.“It would be a little like walking into the middle of someone else’s conversation and hoping you understand what’s happening.You’ll catch up, but it might take time, and you might not feel included.”
“But I don’t have many friends.The only ones I have write me letters.”Her voice dips, almost like she regrets admitting it.
“You want friends?”Eddie asks gently, though I know that tone—he’s already planning three solutions and a backup.
Mila nods, her eyes bright but cautious.“Yes.”
“Alright,” Eddie says, then looks at Mara.“My assistant will send a list of activities where she can meet kids and bond.Plus, a list of tutors that can help you with her current curriculum so you can both have plenty of time to adjust to your new surroundings.”
“What kind of activities?”Mila asks, strikingly good at advocating for herself.
“Like music school, ballet, karate,” he offers.“Among other things.”
Her eyes widen.“Can we look into it, Mom?”
Mara smiles softly.“Of course.”
Eddie pulls a sleek card from his jacket and hands it to her.“If you need anything—anything at all—call me.And ...truly, I’m sorry about your loss and everything that’s happening.”
Mara accepts the card, her fingers trembling just slightly.“Thank you?”A bit confused about the loss and what’s happening, and that is not a good sign.
That probably means dear Eddie found more than we bargained for.
“Shall we leave?”I ask.
Not because I want to get out of here—but because the look he gave Mara, that careful shift in his eyes, means he needs to talk.And he won’t do it in front of her.Or her kid.
“Sure, big guy.”He pats my shoulder and gives me a once-over.“Why don’t you get ready and we hit the gym?”
I glance at his suit.“You’re wearing a suit.”
