The Wife Stalker(13)
“It’s okay.” I didn’t want to hear her rage against my father right now. He’d left years ago, as in over twenty of them, and I had other things on my mind. “I understand. Just let me know, and I’ll be happy to take you. I’ll stop by and check on you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, dear.” She unmuted the TV and went back to her show.
*
He got home before the sun rose but not much before. I was waiting for him when he walked in, and he was clearly startled to see me there, pacing in the hallway. I didn’t wait for him to speak.
“I was worried. Do you realize how late it is?” My voice was shaking. “I couldn’t sleep.”
He put a hand up, looking at me as though I’d lost my mind. “Whoa. I got a call while I was at dinner. One of the firm’s clients was arrested, and they lost his paperwork. I’ve been at the jail all night. His attorney’s in the hospital, so I had to go. It’s been a hell of a night.”
Then I noticed his disheveled appearance, the tie askew, his usually perfect, thick, black hair out of place. He did look like he’d been up with a client all night, and certainly he had been many times before. This whole thing with Piper was making me overreact. “I’m sorry. You know how I worry.” I took a deep breath. “Why don’t you try and get some sleep? I could certainly use some.”
He shook his head. “I need to get to the office early today. I’m just going to take a shower and get going.”
In spite of my restless night, the morning went off like any other. I got the kids ready for the day, made coffee, gave instructions to the maid service, and took care of all the little minutiae that comprised my life—our lives. As I did so, I told myself that I had nothing to worry about. After all, Leo had been a loyal and devoted family man for years. But was I underestimating how his depression might have changed him? He may not have been looking for anything, but I had a feeling she was.
I went to the computer and pulled up his Outlook. When I saw her name in the sender line, I clicked on it. I suppose it didn’t occur to her that I’d have access to his work in-box. The message was from a few days ago.
You’re never going to believe what happened today. I was at the dentist, in the waiting room, flipping through a People, when I came across an article about YOU! It was about the case you won two years ago, the woman accused of killing her in-laws. A whole spread. The woman sitting next to me glanced over (a bit nosily) at the picture of you and said, “Oh, my, he’s a handsome one.” I told her you were even better-looking in person.
Even when I try not to think of you . . . it’s impossible.
Have a wonderful day and do remember to take a break from your desk. Use the app I showed you and remember the quote from Anatole France: “If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” Xo P
I felt like my entire body was on fire.
One thing was for sure: Piper was interested in much more than court cases and conservation, whether Leo realized it or not.
11
Piper
Piper opened the door, and Leo stepped into the foyer, bringing in the steamy July humidity with him. He kissed her lightly on the cheek, and she tried to restrain herself from letting him see how much she wanted him already.
“You look beautiful,” he said, giving her an appreciative smile.
“Thank you,” she said, grabbing her clutch from the table and pulling the door shut behind her. They were seated as soon as they arrived at the restaurant, and Leo scanned the menu. “What looks good to you?”
“I’m thinking about the swordfish,” she answered, putting her menu down.
“Shall we order a Chardonnay then?”
She nodded, and he ordered a bottle of DuMOL. As they raised their glasses, smiling and looking into each other’s eyes, she could almost feel the heat coming from his side of the table.
“I was a little surprised to get your call,” she said. She wanted to lay her cards on the table before the evening went too far.
“You were? Why?”
She straightened up in her chair a bit and softened her voice just so as she said, “I didn’t think you were ready for a new relationship. You told me that you still loved your wife.”
He leaned back in his chair and was quiet a moment. “There will always be a place in my heart for her, but I know I have to move forward. I’ve been struggling for months, and I’m tired of being sad. I have to move forward. You’ve helped me to see that.”
She felt encouraged by his words but wanted to be sure. “I’ve never been a big believer in games, so I hope you’ll forgive my frankness. I’ve been attracted to you since the day I met you, but I didn’t think you were available. Are you really sure you are?”
He reached out and grabbed her hand, and a thrill ran through her. “I’m certain. Don’t you remember the quote you sent me about the beautiful path? If I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that you have to reach out and grab happiness with both hands. You make me happy.” He tilted his head. “Can I be honest, too?”
She nodded.
“I knew there was something special between us from the start, too. I think, Ms. Piper Reynard, that you are my destiny.”
She took a sip of her wine, trying to temper her elation. Her past was littered with starts and stops. Things had too often gone badly, but this time would be different. This time, she would make sure that nothing got in her way.