The Forever Place by Michelle Montebello

Author:Michelle Montebello
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, love at first sight, alpha male, happily ever after, soul mates, redemption
Publisher: Michelle Montebello
Published: 2021-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

I tossed and turned that night, my brain unable to calm while it analysed and strategised and did all the things it was trained to do in situations like these.

The next morning, after little sleep, I dragged myself from bed and made a cup of tea in the kitchen, glancing out at blue hills through foggy windows. The air was cold, and I stamped my bare feet on the timber floor, marvelling at how suddenly the weather had turned.

As a weak sun climbed into a pale sky, I slipped into warm clothes and left the cabin with Duke at my heels. We trotted down the hill, our breath white on exhale. At the Wildflower Café, I took my usual seat at an outdoor table, Duke plonking on the floor, straight onto my feet. I could feel his heart beating against my ankles. As I ordered tea then picked up my phone to make a call, Ivy and Celeste strolled past. I caught them in my peripheral vision but pretended I hadn’t seen them. They pretended too and kept on walking.

The call to Paul rang but went through to voicemail. I wasn’t surprised. A glance at the time told me it was late at night in Melbourne, and he was probably asleep. I’d hoped to have this conversation with him rather than Brian, for he’d always been more understanding, particularly after the Wagner case, while Brian offered little empathy. But I was left with no choice. I needed to talk to one of the partners before I lost my nerve.

Brian answered on the first ring. ‘Marley,’ he said.

‘Hi, Brian. Sorry I’m calling you so late.’

‘No problem. Just clearing emails and was about to turn in. How are things going? Paul said you were doing well.’

‘Yes, I’m feeling much better, thank you.’

‘Good. Ready for the office on Monday? We’ve got a lot of new clients waiting for you.’

‘Yes, about that...’

‘The team has been struggling with one person down. If you’ve got time to look over some cases now, I’ll email them to you so you’re ready for your first day back.’

‘I want to stay,’ I blurted.

There was silence on the line, then Brian said with confusion, ‘Stay?’

‘Yes, just for a couple more weeks.’ My heart quickened in my chest. Oh, why couldn’t I have had this conversation with Paul?

‘Sorry, let me get this straight. We gave you two weeks leave and you’re asking for more? Why?’

‘Because I need it, Brian,’ I said.

‘What you need is to get back into the office.’

‘And I will. Just not yet.’

‘Not yet?’ There was an annoyed sigh from him, as though I were testing his patience. ‘What’s the problem, Marley? You said you were well. Is there a reason you need to take more time off?’

‘To be fair, I can’t remember the last time I took sick or personal leave, even at times when I should have,’ I said. ‘I’m feeling better, yes, but I’m not sure I’m ready to come back yet.’ For a lawyer who spent her days arguing, it was a hopelessly inadequate defence.

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