I text him back, reminding him he doesn’t need to be around when I call, and he messages back in all caps WAIT FOR ME, which is exactly what he said earlier this morning when we were on a video call.
With a sigh, I let myself into the building and head to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, needing some extra caffeine. Last night, as I predicted would happen, Sam didn’t sleep very well. Then again, neither did I. It’s crazy how quickly I’ve gotten used to falling asleep curled into Blake, especially when I was never a cuddler before him.
After I have my cup of coffee, I walk through the lodge to the office and stop in my tracks when I see Maverick sitting at my desk, looking alive and perfectly well.
“Hey,” he says simply, sparing me a quick glance before shutting down the web page he was looking at.
“Hey,” I repeat, then shake my head. “What are you doing here? Where have you been?”
“I’ve been out of town.” He stands up and moves around the desk as I set down my bag. “And I work here.” He grins.
“Don’t be funny. Everyone has been worried about you. Have you talked to Blake?” I plop down in my chair while he takes a seat across from me.
“I just sent him a message. I lost my cell and haven’t had a chance to replace it.” He leans back in his chair. “I saw his text about you two heading to the lake house with his family. How was that?”
“Good, it was nice to get away, and it’s beautiful there.”
“It is,” he agrees. “Did you have a chance to go out on the lake?”
“Unfortunately,” I say, and he laughs.
“That bad?”
“Blake and I ended up in the water after he told me the story of the lake monster, and a fish jumped out of the water, scaring me half to death.”
“I wish I had been there to see that.”
“I’m sure you’ll hear all about it in detail.” I smile when he laughs, then tip my head to the side. “Are you sure you’re okay? We’ve been worried.”
“I’m good.” He raises his arms above his head to stretch. “I just needed a break.” He pushes up to stand. “Is there more coffee in the kitchen?”
“Yep, a fresh pot.”
“Cool, gonna grab a cup, check out some stuff, then run to town to get a new phone.”
“Okay, I’ll be here if you need anything,” I tell him, and he jerks up his chin before disappearing. I grab my cell and send Blake a message, letting him know Maverick is back, then put my phone aside and get to work.
With a cup of coffee in hand, I read over the email I just typed up to make sure everything is spelled correctly and that all the questions that were asked were addressed. Once I’m sure it’s good, I press send and sit back, taking a sip from my mug. Even with all the work I have to catch up on, being away for a few days was still worth it.
“All right, let’s do this,” Blake says, stepping into the office, and I set down my cup and let out a breath as he comes around the desk.
“I told you that you didn’t need to be here when I call. I know you’ve got stuff to do,” I tell him as he touches his fingers to my chin, tipping my head back so he can plant a kiss on my lips.
“And I told you that I want to be.” He lets me go and takes a seat on the edge of my desk, then pushes my cell phone toward me. “So let’s do this and get it over with.”
“Fine.” I pick it up, then dial the number I saved for Lucas and put my phone on speaker. As it rings, my leg bounces up and down, and my fingers tap the top of the desk.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.”
I tip my head back to look at him when a very chirpy woman answers: “Greenburn Family Law, Lillian speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hi, Lillian, this is Everly Standler. I’m calling to speak with Lucas.”
“Hi, Everly, please hold, and I’ll connect you,” she says; then the line goes quiet for a moment.
“Everly, it’s nice to hear from you,” Lucas says as he comes on the line. “I’m guessing you had time to think about coming in to meet with Ginny and Jeff.”
“I did, and . . .” I let out a breath. “And after thinking about it, I’m willing to meet with them one more time, but I’d like the counselor to be in the room with us along with my boyfriend.”
“I think that’s an acceptable request,” he says. “Do you have a day or a time that would work best for you both to come into the office?”