“I have the perfect wine to go with this meal, but that sounds like a lot of food for just the two of us.” She grinned, glancing down at Phoebe’s belly. “It’s the four of us, isn’t it? Oh no. You can’t have wine.”
“Don’t remind me, Ash. But you can, and I will enjoy watching you drink it. This may sound strange, but do you have chocolate milk? It’s just one of the crazy cravings I’ve been having. I just can’t get enough chocolate.”
“I don’t have chocolate milk.” She looked in her refrigerator. “I do have some chocolate syrup to mix with the milk.”
Phoebe smiled. “Could I just have the syrup?”
They laughed.
They sat down at the kitchen table and began enjoying their meal.
“I’m really glad you came over because I’m so nervous about Nic’s intervention.”
“Trust me, Ash. You know the men of Destiny. They’ll be able to help Nic understand that this life will work for him, that being with you and Sylas will give him the perfect life. I just know it.”
“Hopefully you’re right. I love him so very much. And I love Sylas.”
Phoebe’s eyebrows rose. “Ashley Vaughn, you’re glowing. Did you see Sylas after you left the office?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
Phoebe leaned forward. “Well?”
“He came over and we talked.”
“I can tell you did much more than talk.” Phoebe never settled for vague answers, just one of the reasons she was such a great attorney.
“I’ll tell you this much. His first time as a Dom was absolutely fabulous. Not trying to change the subject, but what is going on with Anna?”
“Very subtle, Ash. You definitely are trying to change the subject, but here’s what I know so far. Jason went to her apartment. Ethel gave him a search warrant. Anna wasn’t there. She wasn’t at TBK either. No one has seen her.”
“Since Trollinger had access to my computer when me, you, and Jena were talking at the office, I’m sure she tipped Anna off about what we’d discovered. I bet Anna has left Colorado.”
“Jason put an APB out on her. I don’t think she can get far.”
* * * *
Talking with his travel agent on his cell, Nic continued his trek around the park in the center of Destiny. He’d hoped the walk might clear his head and help him put things in perspective. It hadn’t. “Anything?”
“All the seats are taken. Let me check another airline,” the agent said.
He had been trying to get an earlier flight back to Chicago all day without any luck. After leaving Ashley the way he had, all he wanted to do was be as far away from Destiny as possible. How the hell am I going to live without her? He wasn’t sure but knew it was best for Ashley that he left. For Ashley and Sylas. They could get on with their lives with him out of the picture.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Walker, but there is nothing available.”
“Damn.” His ticket was for a seat on the last flight tomorrow night.
“Sometimes seats open up at the last minute. When will you be at the Denver airport?”
“It’s a four and a half hour drive from here. I will be leaving shortly.” He should have left hours ago, but hadn’t been able to bring himself to go. His bag was packed, sitting on his hotel bed. What had held him back? He knew once he left Destiny there would be no chance of ever seeing Ashley again.
“The earliest flights after midnight aren’t until five in the morning, Mr. Walker. Would you like me to arrange a hotel for you near the airport?”
“That won’t be necessary. Just get me on one of those morning flights.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”
He clicked off his phone and looked up at the dragon statue ahead. It reminded him of the books Pop Jim and Mama Gayle had given him his first Christmas in their house. Definitely happier times then. But those days were long gone.