Page 39 of The Meeting
“But we must get you used to eating a bunch.” He winked. “Besides, I’d like to see you try.”
She only shook her head as the lady scooped their ice cream into bowls. Chase paid for it and they took their bowls outside to a small white table with a sun umbrella.
“I can’t believe you actually ordered me four scoops of ice cream. It’ll all melt in this heat before I even get halfway through it.”
“Your wish is my command.” He smiled playfully and scooped a heaping spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
She followed suit.
“Is this what you wanted to see?” she asked around a large mouthful.
“It’s exactly what I wanted to see.”
She froze at the low tone of his voice and looked up at him. Her tongue darted out and licked the remaining ice cream off her lips and he wished it was his tongue doing it.
Down, boy.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I’m sorry, Kailynn. I feel like I’m always apologizing.”
“Don’t be sorry. I want it, too.”
“Let’s make a toast.” He held his spoon in the air as if it were a glass of champagne.
“Okay.” She put a large scoop on her spoon and held it up next to his.
“To mediation going exactly how we want with you getting what you want so all of this can be over,” he said. He clinked his spoon against hers.
“Toallof this being over,” she said in a low voice and gestured around them. “And to new beginnings.”
He groaned, and she gave him a seductive smile before they clinked their spoons together for a second time.
Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
* * *
Kailynn rolledover and checked her clock. It was two in the morning. The mediation was set for the afternoon and she wasn’t sleeping a wink. Her mind ran a mile a minute, worrying she’d see Sheila or Jessica with Drew. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if she saw Sheila, but she didn’t know what she’d do if Jessica was with him. That would be the ultimate slap in the face.
Jessica had tried to contact her only a few times, but Kailynn would usually just respond with a text message saying she didn’t have any new stuff to market and didn’t need her help. Beyond that, Jessica had made little effort. Kailynn’s chest ached to think Jessica only cared about the money and cared little about how everything hurt Kailynn. Every time a text from Jessica came through—as few as they were—it was always business related.
The mediation couldn’t come soon enough. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could put Jessica off, and the last thing she wanted to do was let them know she knew what they had done. Chase insisted they keep the element of surprise.
She rolled out of bed and opened her door. Abi’s room was dark, and the door was closed. Plus, Logan was staying over. They both needed to work, so she didn’t want to risk waking them. She sighed, half hoping one of them was awake.
She pulled her phone off the charger on her nightstand and passed it back and forth between her hands. Chase was just next door, most likely sleeping, but would it be so bad for her to send him a text. She would risk waking him if he didn’t sleep with his phone on silent.
She sighed and opened up a text to him anyway.
Awake by chance?
She pulled her lip between her teeth, hoping she hadn’t woken him. He may already be awake working anyway, and she’d have no idea. It wasn’t like they ever discussed their sleeping habits.
Just when she was about to give up hoping to have some company, the little dots danced across the screen.
I am. Can’t sleep?
Ugh, was all she said.
Come over.
