Chapter 196 Settle Things

Chapter 196 Settle Things
\[Jeremiah’s POV\]

I hang up the phone and then let out a breath as I stare at my reflection in the mirror in front of me. Many emotions rush through me as relief over Lilah’s normal voice settles in.

Honestly, when my family made it impossible for me to see or even talk to her, I was pissed. I was pissed that they were treating her like a pariah because of something that was completely out of her control. I was pissed that they were willing to turn on her after knowing her and her mother for all these years, but most of all, I was pissed at myself for not being able to do much because I was in recovery.

But now that I was finally free of that, I finally got to reach out to her, but I would have preferred to not have had to do it at this particular time.

“I should get back out there.” I murmur as my phone goes off due to Collin keeping his word about sending me their address.

Sighing, I take in the screen and then I slowly begin to limp out of the bathroom and back to the booth where Rika waits for me.

“You took a while,” she notes, but she doesn’t seem too bothered by it. “Were you struggling?”

“Don’t be gross,” I tell her, grabbing my coat.

“Where are you going?”

“Something came up.” I respond, pulling out my wallet and passing her the money to pay for our brunch. “I’ve got to go.”

“So suddenly?” She asks. “You’re going to use me to escape prison and then just ditch me? I’m hurt.”

“I doubt that,” I chuckle.

“Mmmm,” she shrugs. “Maybe not, but where are you going?”

Why are you so curious?

I want to ask this question, but honestly, I don’t really care about her reasoning for pestering me.

“Is it to see her.”

At Rika’s words, I flinch and when I do a knowing smile starts to spread cross her face.

“You are,” she says. “Can I come with you?”

“What?” I hiss.

What on earth was she trying to get at exactly?

There was no reason for her and Lilah to ever meet, but as I take Rika in it is clear that she is being serious.

“I want to meet the woman that made a man like you fall in love.”

“You’re speaking like I’m something special.”

“Well,” she shrugs. “I’ve heard about you through the grapevine. You have quite the fan club you know.”

“Ugh,” I grimace. “Don’t talk like that. All those women are just interested in me for my money and family name.”

“And your good looks.” She laughs. “Anyway, I’m coming with you.”

“I never agreed to that.”

“You don’t have to,” Rika smiles, grabbing her purse and then heading toward the bistros counter to pay.

Once she finishes, she passes me my money and then links an arm in mine.

“I’ll drive,” she announces, leading us toward the places exit. “Consider me your personal chauffeur today.”

“I never…”

“No arguments.” Rika says, tightening her hold on me. “Let’s go.”

Sighing, I don’t bother arguing because honestly, what different did it make if she and Lilah met? Lilah already knew about this bogus engagement between us anyway. And maybe, just maybe, she would end up a little jealous.

Yeah, right.

I was certain that if anything she would try to encourage me to give Rika a chance.

I didn’t want that, but I knew that I couldn’t continue to hold onto this year's long love anymore.

Maybe I should try moving on. I think as we reach a sleek red convertible. There’s no point in continuing to hold on.

“Hop in,” Rika announces, climbing into the car and then putting the roof down. “And then put the directions in the GPS for me.”

Nodding, I do as instructed and once I’ve programmed the address to where Lilah is staying, we are moving, zooming down the street with the wind blowing in our hair and I can’t help but feel a little bit better.

Thirty minutes later, we pull into the parking garage of our destination. Once we are parked, we climb out and head toward the elevator and when we reach, I press the button to the floor that Collin gave and when we reach, I stare as many emotions rush through me.

“Hey,” Rika says, drawing my attention. “Are you just going to stand there?”

For a moment, I don’t respond as I consider whether or not this is a good idea, but when Rika reaches out and grabs my hand, I feel myself relaxing.

“Come on,” she says, her lips twitching into a smile. “She’s important to you, right?”

“Right,” I agree, swallowing. “She’s the most important woman to me.”

“Then you should definitely go and see her and properly end things.”

“You’re right,” I sigh. “Though we already did that.”

“Did you?” Rika asks, raising a brow. “Because your actions say that you didn’t. Sometimes you need to get everything off your chest so that you aren’t carrying any lingering baggage.”

“Did you do that?” I ask before I can stop myself and when Rika’s expression becomes guarded, I know that I’ve asked the wrong question.

Immediately, I regret my choice of words, but when the guarded look disappears from Rika’s face and her normal look of ease returns, I feel a little better.

“This isn’t about me.” She finally says. “This is about you, big guy. It’s time for you to stop moping around.”

“I haven’t been moping.” I grumble, but Rika just gives me a look that screams to try that again and instead of bothering, I just roll my eyes and then head toward the place that Lilah is waiting.

When we reach, Rika doesn’t hesitate to knock and I wonder if she feels like if she doesn’t I’m going to try to escape and honestly, I wanted to, but I came all this way, so I should at least see things through, right? And when the door opens and Collin comes into view, I feel my determination growing.

“Welcome,” he beams, acting like the master of the place. “I’m glad you came.”

“Yeah,” I respond, peeking past him to where Lilah sits on a couch. “Of course I would come.”

“And you brought someone along,” he notes, eyeing Rika who smiles beside me.

“Rika Reeves,” Rika smiles, holding out a hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

“I know of you,” Collin says and I suddenly remember that even if he has been living as nothing more than a doctor.

Will things actually work out for Lilah?

Frowning, I look in the direction the woman in question is waiting and when my unease starts to grow again, I know that even if I say that I’m completely accepting of her relationship with Collin, I won’t be able to fully trust that they will live happily ever after.