I laid a hand on my chest and studied Tegyn. “Are you okay?”
She shrugged. “Sure. At least he gets it now.” Then her shoulders drooped. “And we still have no idea who hates me so much. So there’s that.” Tegyn released a mirthless laugh. “We should get in there.” Her brow quirked. “You have paperwork to file if you want a piece of this.” She smirked as she walked in front of me, her hips swaying with every step she took in her ankle booties.
I chuckled. “I do. I really, really do.” Then I took a few giant steps to catch up with her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Slow down. We’re not going to be late.”
“Security,” she reminded me. Then she sighed as we reached the elevators.
“What’s troubling you, baby?” I asked with a frown.
Tegyn tilted her head and looked up at me. “I guess I secretly hoped things would get better. I knew deep down Trent wasn’t the one, but he’s the only one I could think of. I just want a normal, quiet life.”
“We all want that, girl. And we’re gonna get it too. Together.” I pressed my lips to her temple just as the elevator beeped and the doors opened for us.
We made it to the street level and crossed the roads to get in the courthouse. Security went quickly, but Tegyn was still silent, lost in her own thoughts. I walked her to the door of her mediation.
“Don’t you leave without me. If you get done first, you sit right here and I’ll pick you up as soon as I get the paperwork filed. Got it?” I frowned down at her.
She smiled up at me. “Okay, bossy pants.”
I grabbed her lapels and pulled her close enough for me to press my forehead to hers. “Nothing can happen to you, understand?”
She sobered and swallowed. “I understand. I’ll wait here. Promise.”
“Good.” I forced a smile and went to the family court floor.
Filing the separation paperwork was easy. I didn’t have an address for Camilla, so I opted to hand deliver. No doubt she’d turn up again eventually. The woman didn’t know how to quit, in all the worst ways. Then I made my way to the other side of the floor to file the papers for sole custody. Again, it was pretty painless and finally official after I paid all the fees. Even though the divorce would take a year, although I back dated it to the night Camilla left, at least things were moving in the right direction and I had something to show Tegyn, proof I was serious and keeping my word.
A smile played on the corner of my lips as I made my way back to the mediation room. I expected I’d have time to sit and catch up on some emails, check in with Tommy to see how Keyon was doing. Instead, I found Tegyn sitting on the bench outside the room, a shocked look in her face.
“What’s up, baby?” I asked as I sank onto the bench beside her.
She shook her head. “He signed off on everything. No more fighting. No threats of alimony. No trying to fight me for stuff I bought.” She blew out a breath. “It’s getting filed and then the divorce will be final.”
I shook my head. “Well, I wish I could say that, but at least everything is in the works. I’m going for sole custody of Keyon.” I watched her face. We’d never talked about it, but I rather hoped she wouldn’t mind having the little guy around all the time.
“I’m excited for you. I hope you win.” She smiled. “I adore him, you know.”
My whole body sighed in relief. “And you wouldn’t mind helping me raise him?” I wanted Tegyn more than anything, but I had to put my boy first. He was my blood. Tegyn was my heart.
“I’d be honored.” She reached out and touched my hand while she sniffled.
“Were you always this emotional?” I asked as I shook my head in awe.
She laughed. “I was, but the emotion was pretty happy all the time back then. My life was less complicated. Lately, my tears feel like they’re always just under the surface, ready to spring out.”
“Well, I’m going to work on getting you back to happy again.” I wrapped my arms around her. “Let’s go.”
We made our way back to her car and she smiled as she announced, “I’ll see you back at the house.”
I shook my head. “Nice try.”
“I’m not going home?” she asked with a frown.
“You still have a crazy stalker out there.” I huffed. “You’re going to follow me to Tommy’s house. Then Tommy’s going to drive your car while you ride with me and Keyon. I’m not leaving you alone for a minute.”
Tegyn shook her head. “You’re silly, but I’ll go along with it for now.”
“Thanks for indulging me,” I grumbled.