20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

~ James ~

" F uck," I roared, knowing that the staff outside my office was probably cringing. And they had the right to.

It had been two weeks, fourteen fucking days since I had seen Addison, and it was torture. I had no way to contact her.

Sure, I could look up her law firm, and find her that way, but something always stopped me from doing it. I tried to figure out why and the only thing I could think of was that it wasn't meant to be.

But I didn't believe in fate. I believe in making things happen. Yet, I never picked up the phone.

I suppose part of me was waiting to see what she did too. I mean, she had every right to defend my ex. I wouldn't stop her. It was her job. I did have hope she wouldn't do it. But who was I to say anything about that? I couldn't demand she not do it. I did, however, think that Addison was smart enough to know, now, that my ex was a snake and a damn good liar.

"Boss?" my assistant poked his head in and glanced around. "Everything okay?'

I stood up in my four-thousand-dollar suit and buttoned it, only stopping when the picture from Havana stopped me in my tracks. Her smile still captivated me, and her blue eyes shined. God, even in a picture, she was breathtaking.

That was it, I was done. I needed to find her. Screw my pride or anything else.

I had a shit ton of contracts on my desk I needed to go over. Even more fucking phone calls to make, but I wasn't doing anything else until I found a way to get ahold of Addison.

"No, David, it's not. But I'm about to make it right. I'm tired of moping."

"Is that what this is? I would have thought you would have had a great time on your trip. Yet you come back, and mope? What could you be moping over, sir? You have it all!"

"Being rich doesn't make one happy, David. It makes them a target. But when you find someone who makes you happy, you need to hold onto them, no matter what. Cancel all calls, I'm out of the office on an emergency." I stepped around my desk and was about to walk through the door when a hand on my chest stopped me and pushed me back in.

"You aren't leaving, James, until you and I talk."

I stared at my lawyer for a moment before nodding. Well, guess this was my answer. It could only mean one thing if he was here to talk to me.

"David, hold the calls. And please close the door on the way out."

"Sure thing, boss." He walked out and with a soft clink, the door closed.

I waved my hand at my lawyer. "What's going on? What did my ex do now?"

"Before I get into that, I need to start at the beginning. I need you to tell me what the hell happened on your trip." I frowned at him, not sure what any of that would have to do with the case. I mean, sure, Addi was her lawyer, but something seemed off. "Read this." He handed me the folder he was holding, and I read it.

Then read it again.

And finally, a third time.

But try as I might, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. I mean, I understood the words and got the gist of it all, but still, it didn't want to compute.

"I don't understand."

"Addison Howser is dropping the case. In fact, your ex-wife here is just stopping everything. She's going through with the terms of the divorce you set previously and within the limits of the prenup."

"Huh." I tossed the folder on the desk and leaned back in my chair. That was news.

Great news, in fact.

"Just huh? What am I missing? Ms. Howser is known in the courts. She's a dog after a bone when she takes on a case and hasn't lost one since she started. Even I know her name. And yet, I got a letter from the judge, saying the case is being thrown out and Ms. Howser is no longer representing your ex.

"I've had my fair share of questionable means to ending cases or letting go of clients, but I've never seen this. Care to share what might have changed Ms. Howser's mind?"

"Why would you think I would know anything about it?'

"Because I happened to call her office." I watched as the man across from me leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. "I had a couple of questions for her. It was a surprise when the office told me she was on a cruise and wouldn't be back until Tuesday. I found it oddly strange that she was gone for two weeks, in the Caribbean, where exactly you were going to be."

"There's a lot of ships that go out there."

"Oh, for sure. They also told me the cruise was Infinity Voyager. So, want to tell me what happened with Addison?"

I licked my lips as I thought that over and shrugged.

"I might have run into her on the boat. I might have poked her a few times within the first few days. And I might have spent some time with her."

"Did you fall for her?"

"Big time. She's everything I ever wanted in a woman when I wasn't even sure what I wanted. She makes me laugh, makes me think, and makes me want to sit back and relax more. But more importantly, she makes me want to love her, with no strings, no papers.

"I didn't do it for this," I told him, waving my hand over the papers in the folder. "I was hoping she would drop it, that she would see that her client was a sore loser, but I didn't believe she would. This is a shock to me, honestly."

"Good answer. I like the fact that she makes you think of no papers. I do have one for you though."

I wrinkled my brow as he reached into his jacket pocket and then laid something before me. It was a blank envelope.

"A bill?'

"No. A note. I sure hope you take up the offer." With that, he got up and left, leaving me alone with the paper. With a deep breath, I opened it up and drew out the dinner cruise ticket and the note.

"James," I read out loud. "This might be unorthodox; your lawyer was no doubt confused. But I want to see you, no, need to see you. Meet me here for dinner and I'll explain everything. Please, don't be late because the boat will leave without you. All yours, Addi."

I checked my watch, then the address, and ran out of the office, a huge grin on my face.

I was going to see her and this time I wasn't letting her go.