Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Eva.” Levi says my name softly, and I look over at him. “I can get the stuff.” He comes to me, putting his hand around my waist. “You can sit with Cici for a bit.”
“She has a special formula,” I continue, walking out of the room to the kitchen. “We don’t know if she’s lactose intolerant yet, but the other formula gave her tummy aches,” I inform her, grabbing the can that is right beside the fridge and putting it in the bag. I walk over to the fridge and grab the two cans that are on top of it.
It’s when I’m grabbing the second can that I see the lawyer card in the middle of the fridge. I put it in the bag and look at Levi. “Can you take this card?” I ask, motioning with my chin toward the fridge. He walks over to it and grabs the card, putting it in his pocket.
We walk out of the apartment, going back over to Gwen’s place. She is holding Cici in her arms. “Is there a car seat?” Josephine asks me and I look back at her.
“In the car,” I state, and she just nods.
“I’ll go and get mine,” Josephine says to us, “and give you a chance to say goodbye.” I glance over at Levi, who looks at me.
“You want to make a run for it?” I ask, and he nods.
“I’m game if you are.” He puts his arm around my shoulders.
Gwen comes to us and hands me Cici. I walk over to the side with her, looking outside. “I know you miss your mom,” I soothe as she looks at me and smiles with a big old dollop of drool. “It’s going to be weird for a bit, you’ll be with people you don’t know, but I promise you that I’m going to get you back. I’ll do it as fast as I can, but you’ve got to be tough, baby girl.” I pull her to me and she sinks into me. “Promise you, I’ll come and get you.”
When I turn around, I see Josephine is there with a car seat. Gwen is sobbing into a white tissue and Levi looks like he’s about to literally take the baby and run. I walk over to the car seat and put her in as her feet start to kick in excitement. “Be good,” I tell her, leaning and kissing her cheek.
“Where will you be taking her?” I ask Josephine and she smiles tightly.
“I’m not allowed to disclose that,” she shares, walking over to her bag, “but this is my number and that is the case file.” I nod, looking down at the card in my hand.
“The lawyer will call you tomorrow,” Levi assures her. “We’ll also be getting our own attorney.”
“Good idea,” she says, picking up the car seat.
I pick up the diaper bag and look over at Gwen. “I’ll pass by tomorrow sometime.” She just nods at me. “Call me if you need anything.”
Levi takes the bag from my hand as we follow Josephine down the steps toward her car. We buckle Cici in and watch her drive away.
“Are you okay?” he asks and I just shake my head.
“I’m one hundred and seventy-five million percent the opposite of okay.” I wipe my nose. “Jesus Christ, what the fuck?” I look over at him and ask him, “Like what the fuck have I done in my life that this shit keeps happening to me?”
“Let’s get you home,” he urges me, ushering me to his car. It’s only then that I notice the police cars are gone. “I have three cards to give you,” he says once he’s driving me back home.
“Do you want me to stay?” he asks when he pulls up in my driveway.
“No,” I tell him, reaching out to the door handle. “I need some space.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
I nod at him as he hands me the three white cards. My hand grabs them as I get out and walk back into my house. I walk straight to the kitchen, open the freezer, and take the tequila out. I don’t even bother with a glass; instead, I take a gulp, swallowing and choking before looking down at the cards.
I take my phone out of my pocket and pull up one of my clients who has been with me since the very beginning, she is the one I go to for any law questions.
Me: Hey, it’s me, can you call me tomorrow from the office?
I press send, looking down to see it’s just after midnight and I’m wondering if I should have just waited until the morning.
I take another sip of tequila before my phone pings, and I think it’s Levi. Picking it up, I’m surprised it’s Alice.
Alice: Is this official business?
Me: Sure is.
Two seconds after I send the text, my phone rings. “Hello,” I answer, closing my eyes. “I’m so sorry, did I wake you?”