One Step Closer(88)

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Veronica said. Jonathan was still reading and she was whispering to the other woman. She opened her purse and pulled out a Lux business card that had her cell number written on the back. “Call me tomorrow.”

Macy took the card and nodded. Caleb was next to her, so she couldn’t openly answer, for fear he might hear.

Jonathan finished reading. “It is my desire to provide for you both, and that the company that I worked so hard to build with Celine will remain viable and any action the two of you take will consider the best interest of the stockholders and employees.”

Edison named Jonathan executor and Caleb was thankful he wouldn’t have to bear that burden. It was enough to quit his job and move.

“Lastly, there is a provision for relinquishment of bequeath. You’ll all get copies of the document so you can read it for yourself, but it basically states that if you challenge the will you lose your bequeath.”

Veronica glared at Jonathan, but it didn’t phase him in the slightest.

“If litigation is initiated in objection to this will, the person bringing the suit will assume all legal fees for themselves and this estate regardless of outcome. Signed; Edison A. Luxon, dated and notarized.”

He passed out a copy to everyone, and then handed one of the white, sealed envelopes to Jonesy, Veronica, and Wren. “Edison left personal letters to each of you.”

“You already had yours,” she said simply, and Caleb nodded.

“I let you read it, remember?”

Wren nodded.

Macy and Veronica rose from the table together and Caleb couldn’t help but notice. His eyes narrowed. The last thing he needed were the two of them scheming to f*ck everything up. He was confident that his father made sure the will could not be contested, but he still felt uneasy over it. He had to get Macy away from the older woman before she had an opportunity to work her over.

He touched the sleeve of Wren’s jacket with an open hand. “I’ll be right back.”

Jonesy was talking to Jonathan and Wren went toward them. She hated that Macy’s actions dictated Caleb’s actions. Maybe she has some sort of hold over him and Wren didn’t want to think about it. It hurt; making her insides burn.

Her eyes were drawn to them against her will. Veronica had left, and he was speaking to Macy alone in one corner of the room. They were touching; Caleb ‘s hand on Macy’s arm, and her hand on his chest. It made Wren feel sick inside.

She put a smile on her face and went to thank Jonathan, then turned her attention to Jonesy. “Are you ready to go? I’m sure Jared is waiting.”

Jonesy could tell Wren was off. Considering she’d just inherited millions, maybe she was in shock or processing. “Are you okay, honey?”

“Yes. I’m just tired. I’d like to go home and make it an early night.”

“You don’t want to wait for Caleb and Macy?”

Wren shook her head, sadly. “Not really. I just want to read my letter, take a bath and climb into bed.”

“Okay, honey. I’ll fix you something nice to eat and bring it to your room.”

“I’m not that hungry. Besides, you’ve done enough for everyone this week. ”

Jonesy didn’t ask anything else and they started to walk out, but unfortunately, Caleb and Macy were standing on the end of the conference room by the door. Caleb looked slightly annoyed and Macy looked like she was pleading.

As Wren and Jonesy approached the couple, they stopped talking.

“Hey, are you leaving?” Caleb was disappointed. He wanted to ask Wren to come with him in his father’s sedan, but he still had to take Macy home and she’d just asked him to take her out to dinner. Maybe he could use the time to speak to her like he needed to. At least in a public restaurant, she wouldn’t be able to make a scene. Either way, he wouldn’t be leaving with Wren.

“Yes. We’ll see you at home?” Jonesy asked.

Caleb’s dark blue eyes met Wren’s lighter ones. “I’m—” He was worried Wren would get the wrong idea, but this was the fastest way to accomplish what he needed with Macy; and that was to end things. “Macy asked that we get some dinner, out.”

Wren looked away uncomfortably. “Okay. Jonesy, I’ll just wait outside.”

“Is she alright?” he asked Jonesy, when Wren walked out.

“She’s exhausted. See you at home.”

Fuuuuccckk, Caleb thought. The last thing he needed was Wren thinking last night meant nothing.

Her eyes said it all. How could you take Macy out alone after our night together?

Caleb resolved to get dinner and his conversation with Macy over with as quickly as he possibly could.





CALEB FELT BAD about what he was about to do, despite Macy’s cold demeanor since they left the will reading.


Macy had Googled and picked out a quiet Italian restaurant about half-way between the law firm and the Denver estate. It was an intimate, romantic atmosphere, with low light, hundreds of votive candles flickering around the room, soft music and white linen everywhere. It was the last type of place he wanted to be with Macy given the conversation he was about to have with her.

He couldn’t help thinking how different it would have been if Wren were the one he was having dinner with, but nevertheless, he asked for a booth in the corner for privacy.