Page 7 of Brokered Betrayals
They both knew it was a loaded question, but Kelsey met his gaze with a smile. “I’m feeling great today.”
A car stopped in the parking lot near them, and Sawyer glanced over out of caution. Andrew exited the rear seat and thanked the driver before shutting the door and jogging to them.
Kelsey released Sawyer’s hand and met her husband halfway. Andrew wrapped his brawny arms around her, then rubbed his hands up and down her back.
“Where’s your coat?” Andrew asked.
“See,” Sawyer said. “It’s freezing.”
Kelsey scowled at him over her shoulder. “It’s forty-five degrees. People up north would kill for temperatures like this in January.” She turned back around to smile at her husband. “I didn’t know you were coming. I would’ve picked you up.”
“Last-minute decision.” Cupping her face, Andrew brushed his thumb over her cheek. “Ella is with my mom, and I thought we could enjoy a nice dinner after your appointment. I ordereda ride and left my car at the office. We can swing by and get it later tonight, or you can drop me off on your way to work in the morning.”
Kelsey leaned into his touch and sighed. “You’re the best.”
Royce linked his fingers with Sawyer’s and led him away to give the couple some privacy, humming Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” as they went.
“Yes, you are,” Sawyer said. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that Kelsey and Andrew were still in the same spot. Kels had rested her head on Andrew’s shoulder, and he rocked her from side to side as if dancing in place. She wore an expression of pure bliss, not sorrow or regret, and the knot in Sawyer’s chest eased slightly.
“After you,” Royce said, recapturing Sawyer’s attention. He’d opened the large mahogany door and gestured for Sawyer to enter ahead of him.
Sawyer stopped long enough to kiss his cheek before stepping inside the warm building. Their law firm was on the second floor, so they took the stairs and entered the waiting room. The receptionist looked up from her task and greeted them with a smile.
“Hi, guys,” Lola said. “Will it just be the two of you meeting with Ivy this evening?”
“No,” Sawyer replied. “Kelsey and her husband will be up in a few minutes. Mr. Perez will also be here, though he’s running a little behind.”
“No problem. I’ll just let Ivy know you’re here, and I’ll set you up in the conference room.”
Sawyer walked over to the fancy hot beverage bar while Lola spoke quietly into her phone. “Do you want something?”
“No, thanks,” Royce replied.
Sawyer prepared a fancy hot chocolate with an abundance of marshmallows for Kelsey and a salted caramel coffee for himself.
“You’re a rock star,” Kelsey said when Sawyer handed the steaming cup to her.
“Do you want anything, Andrew?” Sawyer asked. They’d stopped calling him Big Sexy after Alec left town, and it seemed like the big guy missed the endearment.
“Um, I’m not sure. Let me see what’s available.”
“Everything,” Sawyer, Royce, and Kelsey said.
Andrew shook his head at the trio of trouble before heading over to the beverage bar.
“They have cold drinks in the minifridge below the counter, babe,” Kelsey said.
Andrew grabbed an apple juice from the refrigerator and joined them.
Kelsey eyed the bottle as she sipped her hot chocolate. “That looks good too.”
Her husband extended the juice to her with one hand and wiped the hot chocolate smudge off her lip with the other. “You can have it. I’ll trade you.”
Kelsey volleyed her gaze between the beverages as she tried to decide. Andrew chuckled and slid the juice into her handbag before retreating to grab another from the refrigerator.
Lola stood up and gestured for everyone to follow her to an elegantly appointed conference room. “Ivy is going to be with you in just a few minutes. I see you’ve grabbed something to drink already, but is there anything else I can get for you? We have some cookies in the break room.”
“We’re fine,” Sawyer said. “Thank you.”