Page 46 of Demon On Deck

“Oh,” Mom says cheerily beside me, giving Dad a knowing smile. “Demmir, you’re brilliant.”

“Explain?” I ask, looking between them.

“I could do it. That’s what I did for a few years before opening my CPA business. I’m a bit rusty, but I’m confident I could do it.”

“Of course you can do it, love,” Mom says.

The spark of hope flares but quickly extinguishes.

“If she won’t let me help, I doubt she’ll let you. She’s determined to do this on her own. Convinced she has to prove she doesn’t need anyone.”

The ache in my chest redoubles, stealing my breath.

Dad lays a steady hand on my arm. “You don’t think she’ll listen at all? Even if you present her with an opportunity to be done with this nasty business?”

I shake my head sullenly.

Mom looks nervously to Dad, then me, seeming to weigh her words carefully. “There’s no way you could gain access to her accounts? Using your banking connections?”

I visibly recoil.

“NO,” I say more harshly than I intend, mom flinching at my tone. “No,” I say softer, taking her hand. “As much as I want to help Kallie, I won’t violate my ethics or the law to do so. Even though it’s killing me.” I whisper in pain.

We sit in silence for a long moment. There’s nothing more I want than to do whatever I can to help Kallie. If only there were a way I could get her to listen. But she won’t listen. Not to me. But…

I look to my parents, hope blossoming in my chest.

“I doubt she’ll accept help from anyone. But I might have a way to get you the account information. She won’t listen to me, but I might know someone who can help.”

Chapter 16

I Speak Floral, Not Legal

KALLIE

Seven forty-five a.m. Plenty of time before my meeting with my lawyer. I probably should have just opened Bloomhaus myself instead of asking Grey to do it. Can’t go back now, so may as well make the best of my morning.

I roll out of the warm blanket cocoon I’ve been nestled in for the last hour while doom scrolling. Funny animals, trending floral arrangements, the latest book recs from my favorite authors and influencers. Anything, absolutely anything, to keep my mind from wandering to my appointment.

I release a deep sigh as I sit up.

“Why do exes have to be such asshats?” I mutter to the universe. “Or why does it have to be mine?” I add saltily.

The universe does not see fit to answer. So with another sigh of aggravation, I get up out of bed and head for a shower. There’s nothing I want more than a scalding hot soak to release the tension lurking in my anxious body, but showers have been cooler these days. The heat is a painful reminder of the natural heat of a crimson red body that used to be mine.

Even thinking about him causes me to wince, the ache in my chest, my constant companion, flaring to near-unbearable heights. It takes several deep breaths and a good deal of pressure to the center of my chest before I can actually get on with my shower.

Today I have my first face-to-face with my lawyer since the divorce was finalized. Up to this point, we’ve only communicated by phone and email. Neeve, my sweet as sugar but will legally rip you to shreds lawyer, called as soon as she had combed through the court documents.

Now we’re sitting down for a face-to-face to discuss the legal strategy to prove Matt is a gold-digging prick after a quick buck who is determined to ruin both my personal and professional life all at once.

I put on a light dusting of makeup and fix my hair before getting dressed in my nicest sundress, topped with a cropped blazer and cute sandals. I’m going for cute and confident, but end up feeling meh and nervous.

“Get it together, Kallie. Matt is just a bully after quick cash. He has no grounds to contest the divorce, and it’s not like you haven’t been here with this dick before.”

Except last time, he viewed Bloomhaus as an unprofitable money pit. Now, though…now he sees what I always saw. A successful business that just needed the right marketing and clientele to be profitable. He just lacked the love and dedication I have for my shop.

I grab my keys, head out to my car, and am halfway out the driveway when I realize I left my cell. Dashing back in, I quickly snag it from the bathroom counter and run back to the car. I make it all the way to the stop sign at the end of the street before I realize my purse is still on the kitchen table.