Dare to Desire (Dare to Love #2)(46)
Author: Carly Phillips

He blew out a long breath. “She’s supposed to be working today. Did something happen with her foster mother or the hearing?”

“Now you’re concerned? Where the hell were you all day and night yesterday?” Riley asked, raising her voice. “Oh, I’m sorry. Snuggling up with your new costar at some new hip place in Manhattan. Too busy to call your girlfriend and check in.”

He set his jaw. “Fucking pictures,” he muttered. “I wanted to get to her first.”

“Did you ever think to try the phone?”

“My flight this morning was at six, and I didn’t get back in last night until almost midnight.”

Riley blew out a long breath. “You blew it, buddy.”

“Don’t tell me she believes what those pictures imply.” He’d been laying the groundwork between them for months now. And though she’d admitted to worrying about him returning to old habits, no way could she believe it would happen in just twenty-four hours.

Riley blew out a long breath. “I don’t think she does.”

Relief swept through him. “Thank God.”

“But that doesn’t mean she can handle what comes along with the famous you.”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I love her.”

Riley’s expression lit up her entire face. “I knew it! Have you told her?”

“Not exactly but—”

“Then what are you doing here talking to me? Go home and use your words.” She grinned at him like a crazy woman.

Who’d have thought his love life was so important to her?

“Have you been reading those how-to books on raising kids?” he asked.

Her blush gave her away, and he laughed.

“What? I couldn’t handle What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” She wrinkled her nose. “Too many gross details nobody wants to know ahead of time.”

He shook his head and groaned. “Go torture your husband, will you? I have to get home.” He started for the elevator when Riley called his name, and he turned back.

“Madison just sent me a text. Judge has made his decision. She’s meeting her lawyer at the courthouse.”

TWELVE

Alex arrived at the courthouse too late to hear the judge’s decision. He walked through the double doors and found Jonathan gathering his papers and checking his messages.

“What’d I miss? And where is Madison?” he asked his friend.

Jonathan glanced up from his cell, looking Alex up and down. “You look like shit.”

“Nice. Thank you. I took an early flight from New York this morning. I haven’t had much sleep.” Not to mention, he’d been driving in circles trying to find Madison. “Now what happened here?”

“I can’t believe it, but we lost.”

“What?” Alex braced a hand on the tabletop.

“The judge said there wasn’t enough evidence to show undue influence; however, he felt that since Franny’s dementia signs started before she signed the power of attorney and living will, he should err on the side of the biological child.”

“Son of a bitch.” Alex could only imagine the pain Madison was experiencing. “How did she take it?”

Jonathan met his gaze. “Not well. I mean, she seemed off from the minute she got here, and the judge’s decision didn’t help. Add to that, as he was leaving, her bastard foster brother threatened to get a restraining order to keep her away from his mother.”

Alex closed his eyes and groaned.

“I don’t think he could swing that. He didn’t prove anything against Madison in this hearing except that she wasn’t related by blood. Anyway, she said she needed to be alone and took off.”

Could this day go any more wrong? Alex wondered. “Thanks, man. I know you did the best you could.” He slapped his friend on the back.

Jonathan picked up his briefcase. “I’m just sorry it fell short.”

“Me too.”

Alex headed out to his car and started the engine, needing the air conditioning so he could think more clearly. Where would Madison go if she were upset? Right now, she was feeling abandoned by him, let down by the court, and rejected by her foster brother.

He called Riley only to find out she hadn’t heard from her at all. “She lost the hearing. I’m going to check her place. If you hear from her in between, call me.”

He disconnected the call.

He arrived at her apartment to find her car wasn’t in its spot and she wasn’t home. Instead of leaving, he settled in to wait.

* * *

Madison drove aimlessly, still in disbelief over the ruling. She’d always believed Franny’s wishes would be upheld. That the judge had decided blood was thicker really hurt. Doing her best no longer felt like it was enough.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A quick glance confirmed it was Alex. But she wasn’t ready to talk to him. She didn’t know what she wanted to say. She also didn’t want to go home to her empty apartment and dwell on the last twenty-four hours.

She headed out of Miami and drove toward the suburbs, her destination not clear until she turned onto an old residential street, realizing she’d driven to the neighborhood where she’d lived with her parents. The houses were as rundown as she remembered from her young mind. Overgrown grass and weeds covered most of the lawns. Few were green, and sadly, most had turned brown from neglect and lack of care.

She stopped in front of the house where she’d grown up, trying to remember any good memories before her mother had left and her father had abandoned her, but none came. Before melancholy could overwhelm her completely, she put her car in drive.

A little while later, she’d driven past one or two other foster homes, skipping Franny’s in favor of visiting the older woman in person. If Eric followed through on his threat to get a restraining order, this might be the last time she could see her. Although Jonathan assured her he wouldn’t win, she was past believing in anyone or anything.

And wasn’t that pathetic, she thought. Ignoring the voice in her head asking if that was how she really wanted to live the rest of her life, doubting and skeptical, she walked into the nursing home, grateful when nobody stopped her on the way to Franny’s room.

She knocked and was heartened by the loud come in she received in response.

“Franny?” Madison asked, pushing the door open.

“Gracie!” Franny said, excitement in her voice. Madison’s stomach plummeted along with her hopes.