Page 14

Chapter 14

Annie

OCTOBER | Balance $50,262

The U-Haul was loaded up and my road trip playlist filled, my whole life contained in one small trailer. I took one last look at my building in East Nashville. Eight years I’d spent in Nashville. College, law school, and beyond.

I felt sure there was nothing else for me there.

I’d be in L.A. for at least a year while Marcie was out. Some clients were being shifted around, as it was decided that me having Guy as a client would be a conflict of interest. After all, I was going to be living in his house after I moved.

As the Nashville skyline shrank in my rearview mirror, a wave of peace came over me, as well as a few tears. I was leaving behind friends and some comforts. But what was ahead for me was my oldest friend and a chance to start over. To my knowledge, no one at work ever caught on about Roger and me, but I felt better knowing I’d never run into him again. He, who lied to me about getting a divorce, which was the whole reason I got with him in the first place. We’d been flirting and he made a move after hours. I told him I didn’t get with married men, and he said he was divorced. I believed him.

It was my mistake for ever believing him. For ever thinking that he could love me. For thinking that I’d be the only one someday. It’s a slippery slope when a man’s lying to you, what you’re willing to believe.

But that was all behind me, fading out the window. A new page, a new leaf, a new life.

* * *

“Annie, come meet your new client!”

I was at a benefit put on by the L.A. Princes. Our firm had gotten an invitation as many of the players were on our client list. Marcie was on her last legs, due to have her baby any day. She was hanging on at the office as many days as she could, wanting to make sure I had a smooth transition into her role. I felt unbelievably lucky that she’d approached me at Guy and Kitty’s wedding. She wasn’t just a good agent—she was a good colleague. She was taking such care to get me settled in. I was a little sad that we wouldn’t be potentially working together again until she was back from leave.

Marcie looked behind her and frowned. “Oh, he must have just slipped out. He’s the one we changed for Guy. You’re lucky. He has some good endorsements coming up,” she said. “Dev was pretty mad that he’s getting shifted to you.”

“Yeah, but he gets Guy. That’s a pretty good trade. I imagine he’s an easy client.”

She snorted. “Try telling Dev that. Oh, here he comes!”

My stomach dropped. I knew this was a possibility, and I knew I’d see him at some point. But I did not expect Nick Oberbeck to be approaching me as my new client.

“Obi, this is—”

“Annie. Hi,” he finished.

Marcie raised her eyebrows. “You two know each other?”

My mouth hung agape as Nick studied me.

“Oh, right, you were both in the bridal party! Well, I’ll have to check with Bill and make sure that also won’t be a conflict. It should be fine, though. You’re not living in the same house!” Marcie said with a good-natured laugh.

I laughed a little too loud. “Yeah. Funny how that works!” Funny, because Nick, unlike Guy, had seen most of what I look like naked, or had my private parts in his mouth. But if being a roommate is what makes a conflict of interest, Nick and I were in the clear.

“Well, I’ll let you two chat and go put my feet up. My ankles are starting to swell.” Marcie gestured to her feet and walked off.

I took a steeling sip of my wine as Nick opened his arms for a hug. Stiffly, I went into it, giving a little hum of recognition that I should physically greet him somehow. “It’s good to see you, Annie.”

“You too.”

His smile became more polite. “How long have you been in town?”

“I got here over the weekend. Staying at Guy and Kitty’s.”

“A whole week, huh?” He looked out over my head, seeming annoyed.

“Y-yes?”

“I guess make-believe is over,” he huffed.

I screwed up my face. “You’re mad I didn’t call you?”

“Or answer my text with my beautiful dog.”

“I hearted it! Isn’t that enough?”

“You’re right,” he scoffed. “Why would it matter? It’s not like you’re going to care about me beyond one weekend.”

What the hell? “Did you think we were going to have some long-distance relationship or something? I barely know you.”

“You’re right,” he said. “I don’t know you.”

I threw my hand out. “You said yourself it was just for that night!” People were starting to stare.

“It was more than one night, Annabelle,” he bit out.

I stepped closer to him. “Nick, say whatever it is that’s bothering you. I can’t work for you unless you feel good about this.”

His jaw ticked and his green eyes met mine. “Why did you have to tell my friends I was bad at it?”

My eyes widened and my chest flushed. I tented my fingers at my temple, cool from holding my white wine. My mouth flapped. “That wasn’t supposed to get back to you.”

“I genuinely supported and cared about you, Annie. And you thank me by telling everyone that I suck at eating pussy?”

A couple of conversations close to us cut off. I gaped at him. “Lower your voice, Nick.” I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the hallway. I remembered how he’d done that for me when he was being nice to me at the wedding. A bubble of guilt rose up. He was right to be mad at me.

“I’m really sorry about that, Nick. I told my girlfriends that in confidence, and they shared it with their partners.”

“Who are my best friends. Who are now on me about being bad at this and trying to ‘help’ me.”

I shrugged sheepishly. “Well, maybe it’ll help.”

“I can’t believe you spent that second night with me, and then still talked shit about me. I shared personal stuff with you, Annie.”

Tears welled in my eyes. I’d really hurt him. I reached for him and captured his wrist again. “Nick, I never said anything about you after that night. I just—” I sucked in a breath. “It doesn’t make it better, but I told Kitty in confidence about our little romp before the wedding and she brought it up when we were getting ready. I’m really sorry. I would never try to hurt you. You’re a good guy.”

His brow furrowed further. “Every day, Annie.”

“What?”

“I’ve thought about you every damn day. And you couldn’t even text me back.” His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Nick, I had a mess waiting for me in Nashville—”

His jaw ticked and he held up a hand to stop me. “You know I would have been there for you. Dev can give you the file on me. I’ll see you when we meet in a couple weeks. Have a good night, Annabelle.”

He turned back to the ballroom and was lost in the crowd.