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“Dawson Tate and I go way back. In fact, we met up for drinks on the Upper East Side two months when I was in New York. If I called him right now, I bet he’d answer,” Cash says, pulling his phone from his pocket. “He’d be very interested to learn that one of his employees is harassing my wife.”
“Woah, hold on a minute,” Landon rushes out. “Let’s not do anything rash.”
Cash grins like he has the upper hand. “This is how it’s going to go. Get the hell out of Everly’s office and stop contacting her. If you try reaching out, I’ll know. You had your chance with her and wasted it. That’s not my problem. She’s mine now.” I fight the smile lifting my lips when he draws me into his side.
“Okay, fine. Geez, call off your guard dog, Everly,” Landon says to me, holding out his hands in defense. “I’ll go, just don’t let him call Dawson.”
“Goodbye, Landon.” My voice is devoid of emotion.
I ignore his request, liking the idea of him being on edge.
He doesn’t bother with a response as he leaves my office like a bat out of hell. The second he’s gone, it’s like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. Something tells me today was the last time I’ll hear from him. Cash can be very convincing when he wants to be.
“How do you know Dawson Tate?”
He’s one of the most ruthless lawyers in New York City and the last person I imagined would be in Cash’s inner circle.
“I’ve never met the guy,” Cash says.
My eyes widen. “But you just said you had drinks with him two months ago.”
“That was Harrison. It wouldn’t have sounded as intimidating if I had said my brother knew him now, would it?” He smirks.
I raise a brow. “And what would you have done if Landon had called your bluff?”
“Easy. Called Harrison, pretending I was talking to Dawson. He would have gone along with it.”
“Thanks for getting rid of Landon. It’s not your problem to deal with but I appreciate your help, regardless.”
“You’re my wife. Your problemsaremy problems. What do I have to do to make you see that?”
He lifts my jaw so I’m met with his soft gaze.
“I think you need to remind me again, just to drive your point home,” I mock him playfully.
“I mean it, Ev.” He swipes his thumb along my cheek. “You belong to me, and I protect what’s mine.” I swear he lets out a low growl, but I can’t be sure.
“I’m really glad you showed up,” I say, leaning into his touch.
“It was my turn to bring you lunch.” He smiles, holding up a takeout bag from my favorite bistro down the street.
I’ve come to discover that Cash is unlike any of the men I’ve been with in the past. Everything he’s done since the night at the bar has been to make my life better and show me how much hecares. Instead of being on guard, ready to push him away, maybe it’s time to give him a real chance.
18
CASH
“YOU’RE LATE.” HARRISON FROWNS AShe taps his watch.
“I’m sorry,” I say, settling into my office chair and looking into my laptop’s camera. “I ran all the way back, but I took Everly lunch, and I didn’t want to rush—” I stop when I see Harrison and Dylan giving each other looks at the conference table in our Maine office.
Nowadays, it’s rare for them to be in the same room during our meetings since Dylan works from home most days, and Harrison spends a lot of time at our New York office. While it's only an hour's plane ride into the city, going to the headquarters in Maine has become an inconvenient detour for them both.
“You had lunch with Everly?” Dylan asks as he adjusts his glasses.
“Yeah, of course I did. She’s my wife.” I’ll never tire of calling her that. “You and Marlow go out during the day all the time, and you’re not even married yet,” I taunt him.
He gives me a sideways glance in response. If it were his call, they’d get married today, but she wants to wait until she’s officially adopted Lola before they exchange their wedding vows.