One Step Closer(85)

Wren started to do follow Macy, but Caleb’s hand tightened around hers. “No, stay.” He shook his head, looking down at her. It was a sunny day and they both had on sunglasses so she couldn’t see his eyes.

Macy’s lips pressed together and she resumed her solo trek to the waiting limo.

Wren’s free hand moved up to close around the outside of Caleb’s elbow. “Are you doing okay?”

He knew the day had been hard on her, too. “I’m okay, but I wanted to talk to you. It’s over with Macy. I haven’t touched her since I laid eyes on you again, and I need you to know that. I told you; there’s no going back.”

Wren had spent the last couple of hours wiping at tears, but her eyes started to burn again. She rested her head against his arm and shoulder, as they stood side-by-side facing the casket. She squeezed his hand again. He was still thinking of her. Her throat ached as she tried not to cry out loud. She nodded without looking at him. “Okay.” It came out as a thick whisper.

“Okay,” Caleb affirmed. “Did you see Veronica? Has she tried to talk to you at all?”

“I did see her, but Jonesy and I were running late because I overslept, so there wasn’t time for her to corner me.”

“Good. Just stay close so I can intervene if needed.”

Wren’s heart was so full of him she could hardly get the words out.

“I’ve missed you, Superman.”

Caleb’s handsome face split into a big smile and his heart suddenly felt lighter. He wanted to laugh out loud. This woman’s respect and love was all he wanted in the world. The future looked bright.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked quietly, finally moving to wrap an arm around her shoulders.

“Yes.”

Caleb and Wren walked to the waiting limo and the driver opened the door for them. Caleb waited as Wren slid into the seat across from Macy, and when he entered, it was Wren he chose to sit next to. It would have been disrespectful to hold Wren’s hand or touch her until Macy knew where he stood. He couldn’t touch Wren, but he’d be damned if she wouldn’t be beside him.

***

“WREN!”

Wren turned around to see who was calling her name, though she already knew. She’d managed to avoid speaking to her mother for the entire wake and funeral, but now, waiting for Jonathan to read Edison’s will, Veronica was here and quickly moving toward her.

Ugh! she thought.

Seeing Veronica was inevitable given there was cash on the table, but something Wren was not looking forward to. Her mother was a harsh and intimidating reminder of all she’d suffered at her hands.

Wren cringed and put up her hand to stop her mother’s approach. The one thing she’d learned from Caleb was that words could only hurt you if you allowed them to.

“I don’t have time talk to you now, mother,” Wren said when Veronica stopped directly in front of her. Veronica was still beautiful, but in a stiffer, more plastic, sort of way. Her eyebrows were unnaturally frozen and her top lip barely moved when she spoke. Clearly, she’s had some work done. Veronica tried to hug her daughter, but Wren stood stiffly and didn’t return the embrace. She searched for Caleb, who was deep in conversation with Jonathan and wasn’t looking her way.

“Nonsense,” Veronica brushed off Wren’s dismissal. “They’re talking and if I know lawyers, they never start on time.”

Wren rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’d know.”

Veronica pulled at the lapel of her new black jacket, ignoring her daughter’s jab to deliver one of her own. “This is nice fabric, but the outfit is boring, Wren. Surely you could have done better?”

Wren’s eyes narrowed in hatred. One sentence in and her mother was finding fault. “This is a funeral, not a rave,” she said wryly, registering the very low cut neckline of her mother’s tight, body conscious dress. “But then, everything’s a party to you.”

Veronica smiled tightly. “There’s no need to be nasty, Wren. Let’s play nice, shall we?”

“What are you even doing here? I thought you moved to San Diego with your your latest victim?” She was unable to hide her disdain for the woman who had destroyed her childhood, and could have destroyed her entire life.

Veronica smiled and raised her shoulders. She neither confirmed nor denied whether she had a new man in her life. “I’ve been asked to be here! Eddy must have included me. Caleb probably thought he’d get it all.” She sniffed haughtily.

Wren wanted to vomit at her salacious tone. “I can’t imagine why.” Wren waved her mother in the direction of the large conference table. “It’s going to start soon, so let’s take our seats.”

They were in the conference room at Jonathan’s firm; Westwood Barker. The room was modern with glass walls separating it from the rest of the office, a long dark wood table and sixteen plush leather chairs around it.

She gestured toward the table, but Veronica wasn’t about to let her conversation end. Macy was sitting in a seat that Caleb had held out for her about halfway down the table and Jonesy was seated across from her. The room was large for the few people in attendance.

“Who is that attractive young woman?” Veronica pointed to Macy.

“A friend of Caleb’s,” Wren answered quietly. She was silently praying her mother would stop asking questions. “Sit down, mother.”