The last thing she wanted was to drive her kids further away, especially when it was clear they still didn’t understand her reasons for getting a divorce. Nor did it seem like they were ready to wrap their heads around it, not with everything going on in their personal lives.
Amy was halfway through the magazine and still debating the issue with herself when her lawyer stepped off the elevator in seven-inch black Louis Vuitton heels and a white silk blouse tucked into a gray pencil skirt that fell just past her knees.
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Ms. Gruntle.”
Amy uncrossed her ankles and rose to her feet. She stuck her hand out and was relieved to realize Kate Wentworth’s grip was firm and strong. “You too, Ms. Wentworth.”
Kate motioned for Amy to follow her, and the two of them walked past the receptionist seated behind a circular-shaped desk. Abruptly, they stopped in front of an office with glass doors, a large, wooden rectangular-shaped desk in the center, and a flat-screen TV mounted to the wall opposite big bay windows.
Without missing a beat, Kate pushed the door open and motioned for Amy to step through.
“Would you like something to drink?” Kate went over to the tray set in the corner and flicked the electric kettle on. “I could make you some tea to help settle your nerves.”
Amy lingered in the doorway. “No, thank you.”
Kate offered her a small smile. “You can sit anywhere you like.”
Reluctantly, Amy straightened her back and selected the chair closest to the door. As soon as she sat down, she placed her purse in her lap and resisted the urge to smooth out her skirt again. She felt ridiculous.
And she was sure she looked even worse.
But Kate had insisted she needed to look the part of a strong and powerful woman, ready to take down anyone who stood in her way. And since her phone call a few days ago, Amy had spent a lot of time thinking about what it meant. In the end, it was Ashley who helped her pick out an outfit that had been stuffed in the back of the closet and in desperate need of mending.
Days later, here she was, sitting in her lawyer’s office in the city and trying to resist the urge to throw up all over her mended and freshly pressed outfit.
You are not going to give Eric the satisfaction of knowing he has that kind of effect on you. Do not do it. He’s taken away too much from you already.
Kate poured hot water into two Styrofoam cups. Wordlessly, she placed a coaster and set Amy’s chamomile tea in front of her. “It’ll help settle your nerves or at least give you something to do with your hands.”
Amy was touched by the gesture but didn’t know what to say. Kate took a seat next to her and sipped on her drink.
Amy curled her fingers around the cup and swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Have you dealt with his lawyer before?”
Kate blew on her drink and grimaced. “I have. Tyler is going to try and disarm you with charm and wit, but don’t be fooled. He rips people apart just for fun, and he isn’t above sneaking in a few low blows just to make his point.”
Amy blew out a breath. “In other words, he and Eric are well suited to each other.”
Kate nodded and took another sip of her drink. Then, she pulled a file out from under the table and flipped it open. “Are you sure there’s nothing else you want to add? Nothing you want to ask for?”
Amy curled her fingers around the cup and squeezed her eyes shut. “I just want this to be over.”
“That’s rich, considering you’re the one who started this mess.”
Amy froze as Eric’s familiar voice washed over her.
After two weeks of listening to his rage through the safety of her phone, she wasn’t sure she was ready to face him again. She didn’t feel strong enough to handle his insults and barbed comments.
But she couldn’t spend the meeting looking away from him.
Not if she hoped to get his lawyer to take her seriously.
The urge to shrink into a corner and retreat into her shell was strong, but Amy wanted to be stronger; otherwise, she was going to spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder.
Her hands were trembling as she stood, so she hid them behind her back. Slowly, she forced herself to rise the rest of the way, spun around, and took in the sight of her estranged husband in a custom-made Armani suit with his hair slicked back. His dark eyes were tight and fathomless as they regarded her.
A chill raced up Amy’s spine as she switched her gaze to Eric’s lawyer, a tall man with broad shoulders, a sharp jawline, and the most intimidating pair of brown eyes she’d ever seen. Side by side, the two of them looked like the kind of men she didn’t want to mess with.
Amy was suddenly wondering if she made a big mistake in agreeing to the meeting.
