But I was a terrible judge of character, so I wasn’t going to let my guard down just yet.
“Thanks for bringing me,”I murmured. “I know you’re busy.”
“Never too busy for you, bug,” Emmett said, glancing over at me with a tiny smile that made me feel equal parts guilty and thankful. “And besides, I’d much rather cart you around than rip up fence posts with Beau.”
I forced a chuckle. “That’s fair.”
I picked at the skin around my nails while I looked at the wide open fields we passed. Every mile we crept closer to town, the more nervous I got. What would Levi say? Would he make me tell him everything? Would he tell me he couldn’t help me?
Oh God, what if he couldn’t help me? My stomach twisted at the possibility.
Lost in my head, I jumped when Emmett reached over and pried my hands apart. “Stop before you start bleeding.”
I looked down at my hands, at the raw skin that surrounded my short, uneven nails. Heat crept up my neck, but I didn’t say anything, and neither did he.
It hadn’t taken me long to realize my brother had some of the same issues Luke and I did: aversions to loud sounds, crowds, and new people, existing on little sleep, and avoidance. But I think that’s why he hovered around us. And it was why he was the sibling I asked to take me to this meeting.
It also helped that he was a strong, intimidating-looking guy who could jump in and get me out of somewhere easily if needed.
Wild Creek Law looked innocent enough. A small, white washed brick building with well-maintained flower beds. The only other car in the parking lot was a sleek, black BMW. That must’ve been Levi’s.
Emmett put the truck in park, turning to face me. He looked so much like our dad, it hurt sometimes. “You ready?”
I let out a heavy breath. “No, but let’s get it over with.”
I knew I was on the verge of visibly shaking as I walked inside, but I couldn’t stop it. It only sent my mortification higher.
Emmett moved closer when footsteps echoed down the hall, and I was thankful for it. A man in a well-tailored navy suit appeared seconds later with a welcoming smile.
Levi.
He was clean-cut and sophisticated with black hair like mine. Except his looked natural, while mine was cheap box dye. But it was his eyes I kept looking at. A woodsy green hazel that settled my nerves the longer I looked at them.
“You must be Tess,” he said, glancing between Emmett and me. “Which makes you Emmett.” He extended his hand to Emmett first. Most people would’ve considered that rude, but it meant something entirely different to me. Like a show of proof that he wasn’t a threat. “Haven’t seen you since high school,” he said while shaking my brother’s hand.
“Sounds about right,” Emmett replied. He glanced around the sleek yet cozy waiting room. “Nice place you have here.”
Levi put his hands in his pockets, and some more tension left my body. “Thanks.” But then his attention shifted to me, and it all came roaring back. “Ready to get started?”
Swallowing roughly, I nodded.
“Great. My office is back here,” he said, leading the way.
Emmett automatically began to follow, but I stopped him. “I want to go alone,” I whispered.
His blonde brows pulled together, eyes searching mine. “You sure?”
No, but I knew I didn’t want him knowing what I talked about with Levi more than I wanted him with me. “Yes. I’ll call for you if I need something.”
“Okay,” he said, still frowning.
Levi was already sitting behind his desk when I made it into his office, a blank legal pad sitting in front of him. He did a double-take when I walked in, probably noticing Emmett wasn’t with me. “Can I shut this?” I asked, gesturing to the door. It wouldn’t do much for privacy since it was glass, but maybe it would muffle sound.
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
I sat down across from him, picking at my fingers. “Sorry again for calling you so early this morning,” I said with a weak chuckle.
“Seriously, Tess, don’t worry about it.” He gave me a kind, genuine smile that told me he meant it.
