“I’m no lawyer, but can’t you use the legal system to stop him? Or even the cops?” Zach asked. He’d also lost the attitude.
“We’re trying,” I said. I’d done my homework on Florida law. I’d had every intention of sharing my findings with Lizzie after dinner the day before. “Death and stealing are two surefire ways to get a trustee removed. Another is if the trustee doesn’t handle the estate properly. That one is harder to prove. However, an easier, faster way is to prove that Terrance no longer lives in Florida. Lizzie, didn’t you mention that Terrance’s house was empty?”
Zach and Kade were listening attentively.
“Yeah,” she said. “His neighbor told me a moving truck had been parked in the driveway for two days.” She swung her gaze to Zach. “Do you know if your father moved out of Florida?”
“No clue. But given what Kelton just explained, the law should help you.”
“The law will help, but things don’t work that fast within the legal system,” I said.
“The cops haven’t been any help either,” Lizzie added. “Your father has the accounting records on my estate. I need them.” She sounded as though she was on the verge of tears. “I can’t say for sure if your father is guilty of stealing my money, but it would be much quicker if he would talk to me and cooperate.”
Zach rubbed his temples. “I’ll see what I can do. I got to run.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Kade said.
The room fell silent as Zach and Kade left. I set my attention on the gorgeous lady who was chewing on her finger. I wanted desperately to be that finger. Patriots, football, Super Bowl. But no amount of chanting my sports mantra was going to tame the beast inside my pants. The more time I spent with Lizzie, the more my dick disobeyed me.
She switched to another fingernail. “Once Mr. Davenport gets my estate documents and analyzes the money trail and my parents’ accounts, then what?”
“Mr. Davenport will lay out your options based on Florida statute. Whatever the next steps are, they’ll involve the court. He’ll probably recommend freezing all assets in the estate. That way Terrance can’t touch it anymore.”
She twisted her earring. “It’s going to take forever to get to the bottom of my problem, isn’t it?”
“Look on the bright side. That means you’re not leaving Boston any time soon, and it gives us a chance to get to know each other again.”
A body-tingling smile spread across her face. Fuck. I’d risk my heart a million times if it meant that I would see that sparkle in her eyes, just like when we were kids.
“Are you asking me on a date?”
I slid my hands up her thighs, leaned in, and kissed her on the nose. “Only if I can see those toe socks. And if you’ll allow me to cook you dinner this week.”
She jerked back. “You cook?”
“Chocolate and strawberries to start. I always like dessert before the main meal.”
18
Lizzie
Dillon pulled up along the curb right outside Fourteen Louisburg Square. Tonight I wasn’t thinking about lawyers, my problem, or Terrance. I couldn’t anyway. Not when Kelton dominated my thoughts. Although I’d wanted to check in with Zach. But Kelton had said Zach was MIA for the night, and according to Zach, he’d left a message for his father.
“Rich neighborhood,” Dillon said, shifting the Camaro into park. “You sure that guy, Terrance, doesn’t own this place?”
“Would it matter?” I asked. Zach had mentioned he was housesitting for a friend of his father’s, and I didn’t get the impression Zach would lie. Nevertheless, if Terrance had spent my money on that place, I couldn’t do anything about it right then.
“Can I go in with you?” Bee asked from the backseat. She’d tagged along since Dillon was dropping her off at the mall where she worked.
“Maybe next time,” I said, although I could use a wingman. Bee would certainly keep the conversation flowing, which would help to ease the bucket of nerves that was sloshing around in my stomach. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone on a dinner date, let alone with a guy—Kelton, no less—who was cooking. On the drive there, I’d pictured Kelton standing in front of a stove in nothing but an apron, his bare butt showing.
Bee tapped me on the shoulder. “Let me make sure your makeup is still flawless.”
I turned in my seat.
She surveyed her work as though she was smoothing out the final details of a finished painting. “Perfect,” she said.
I had to give her credit. I knew how to apply makeup, but not like her. She worked in the cosmetic department at Nordstrom’s for MAC products.
Bee wished me luck as I got out, then she crawled into the passenger’s seat. With that, I made my way up the steps and rang the bell. Kelton opened the door, wearing an apron that said No Kiss, No Food.
I pointed to his chest. “Does that mean I can’t eat until I kiss the cook?” Please say yes.