Summer Ever After

He’s a large man, built like a football player, but not intimidating. Instead, his power comes from a quiet, intelligent place where he often draws on his wit instead of sarcasm and insults like my dad. A small, sick part of me wonders what life like would have been like if Mom had chosen Everest instead. What would I have done with my life if a caring, accepting man like Everest was my father?

“I am, for now at least.” Responding, I relish the comforting physical contact from Everest. The closeness has me squinting back tears as he gently rubs my back in a parental kind of way. These kinds of hugs have been non-existent since my mother died. Her death created this chasm between all of us. It’s hard to know who the glue is that holds a family together until they’re gone.

“I’m glad to hear it. I missed you, and even if you don’t believe it, your dad missed you too.” Snorting is my only polite response I’m capable of at the moment, and Everest gives me a good chuckle, which rumbles his chest. It’s funny, but I wish Roman were here so he could meet him, and stranger still, I don’t think of my dad first.

A snap of the conference room door disrupts the spell. “Abigail, we have a meeting.” A cold voice penetrates the warmth of Everest’s protective arms.

I glance behind me to see my dad. He looks worn, probably from the stress and worry. It can’t be easy for him being forced to experience feelings like every other human being on the planet. He’s dressed impeccably in a full suit, and I take in how he looks over my current state of dress.

“There’s a spare suit in your sister’s office. Please put that on and join us when you’re ready.” Dad turns away and heads back to the conference room. No hello, no hug. I’ve been dismissed as usual.

“He’s hurting, dear.” We both nod as if that completely explains and excuses my dad’s behavior. We’ve all accepted that’s how he is. Everest gently pushes me in the direction of Leah’s office and leaves me in the hallway.

Lucas is absent, probably weaseling his way into the meeting just to show me up. Whatever. All I want to do was wrap things up in LA, support my sister if she’ll let me, and figure out how to make things work with Roman. Selfish of me, but when will there ever be a time for me and what I want in life? I shut the door and flick the office lights on. I’ve only been in Leah’s office a handful of times early on as an intern to drop off memos, dispositions, and files when needed. I suppose that when Lucas began to see her behind my back. He took over those duties somewhat joyfully.

Her office is decorated in muted shades of tan and gray, as is the regular office scheme. Her law degree hangs on the wall in a large ornate frame outlined in gold and black. Mine still sits in its leather folder at my apartment. Same school, though my GPA was better, but still not good enough for the fancy frame. Leah has few other pictures hanging on the walls, mostly professional posters from the San Diego Aquarium I haven’t seen before.

In a hurry to get this day over with, I enter her private bathroom, a perk of being my dad’s number two person, I presume, and find her spare suit hanging in the closet. A navy double-breasted jacket and skirt complete with navy suede heels, still in the box, and a spare set of pantyhose. Grabbing the pantyhose first, I toss them in the trashcan. I was doing my uptight sister a favor getting r

id of them. Abigail Holliday does not do pantyhose. I drop my clothes, ready to put the rest of the ensemble on, when the door bursts open.

“Abs, your dad said to hur—” Lucas stands there eyeing me up and down in my lacy underwear, something I’d worn for Roman and now sadly on display for my ex. Gross. Panic has me covering my body shamefully, like I’ve done something wrong.

“Oh, my god! Get out. Get out!” I rushed the door to slam it shut, my chest heaving with upset breaths. Holy shit, that was awkward! I lean back against the door, groaning. My face flushes red and hot with embarrassment.

“Abigail, it’s nothing I haven’t—” I don’t let him finish that disgusting sentence.

“Shut up! Just shut up and get out. I’ll be there in a few.” I pound the door angrily; Lucas has some balls thinking he can get away with saying that shit to me. Catching my breath, I slip the suit on, buttoning the silky blouse. As I pull the last satin covered buttoned through, my phone begins to ring.

Roman. Finally, my voice of reason takes over. “Hey, sailor,” I answer the phone, excited to hear his voice, even if it’s only been a few hours. It feels like days given the level of stress already.

“Hollywood.” His voice is gruff, accusing almost. “I’m coming for you as soon as I can.” He sounds angry. I don’t blame him. I continue to screw things up between us.

Quietly, reverently, I admit, “I was hoping you would. Did you get it?” I ask about my last text. I can’t help it. He didn’t answer the phone saying it, and I’ve become a needy, shy woman with a deep wanting for this man.

“Yeah, and because you chickened out saying it to my face, I’m going to spank you until your ass is a bright hot pink,” he growls. I’m shocked he’s more than furious, but I’m secretly warmed inside. I lean against the doorframe in the bathroom, twirling a blonde curl.

“Really?”

“Where are you now?” he asks, ignoring my question, apparently.

“At the office. I have a meeting now, but I’ll call you when I get home tonight.”

“You better, or I’ll add that to your tab, brat.” Shivering, I think about how Roman plans to take control of this. “Be safe and I’ll see you soon.” He hangs up before I can say anything else. I clutch the phone to my chest, willing a hug to pass through the device. It’s stupid, I know, but I can’t stop myself from missing him. I collect my clothes and my bag and force my way down the hall to the meeting.

“Finally, she’s joining us.” Lucas passes me a thick file folder and a legal pad with a pen as my dad continues the rundown of his meeting. “All right, most of Leah’s cases will be disbursed through the partners and assistant legal staff. Lucas is running a few of the cases conjoined and will continue to do so, taking over lead counsel on them.” What? Lucas is getting the bulk of Leah’s cases? Well, unless he performed a miracle and did a turnaround, I feel bad for those clients.

“Uh, Dad?” I feel obligated to say something against this, but my father steamrolls right over me and Lucas gives a sly grin from under the hand half covering his sneaky face. Bastard.

“Abigail will take this pro-bono defense case the firm was assigned through the court. Normally, I’d give it to a junior associate, but with your absence, I want to make sure you’re on the ball here.”

“Dad!” Now this was just ridiculous. I was a way better lawyer that Lucas, even if I had skipped town.

“Jeff?” Everest was questioning my dad too, wonderful. I really am persona non grata around here.

“Look, I need to know you’re going to be responsible and not up and leave again mid-cases.”

“I wasn’t mid-case on anything when I left.” The other associates are looking at me as if they don’t know all the details either. Apparently, Dad kept my memo a secret of sorts. I look over to Lucas who smirks at me and, of course, I should have known the asshole would have a found another bus to throw me under.