“How did you meet her?”
“At a yoga retreat.”
“When?”
“A year and a half ago.”
“Oh God, Wade . . . And all that time . . .”
His shrug was confirmation.
Filled with sadness for his dilemma, Ella got up and went around the desk, sitting in the chair next to his. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Nothing to tell. It was over before it began.”
“Why do you think he’s knocking her around?”
“She’s always got bruises on her arms that she says are because she’s clumsy, but they look like fingerprints to me. Like someone grabbed her hard. She denies that he’s hurting her.”
Ella took a deep breath and blew it out. “You’re worried, though.”
“Hell, yes, I’m worried! I keep telling myself it’s not my deal. She’s not mine. She’s married to him, not me. And every night I lie awake wondering how she is, if she’s hurting, if she’s scared, why she doesn’t call me anymore. It fucking sucks.”
Ella picked up the stress ball and put it back in his hands, covering them with hers. “I can’t imagine what that must be like.”
“Every day I say this is the day I’m not going to think about her anymore, and every night I’m right back in hell, left to wonder where she is, if she’s okay, whether she ever thinks of me the way I think of her.”
“Why haven’t you told me about her before?”
“I don’t know.” He squeezed the ball and then glanced at her. “I told Hannah once in a weak moment. I needed to tell someone, and she was willing to listen.”
“I’m glad you told someone. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone.”
“You’re not mad I told Hannah and not you?”
“No, Wade,” she said, smiling at his reference to the special bond the two of them had always shared. “I’m not mad. I hope Hannah was able to give you some good advice.”
“She did.”
“If there’s anything I can do, anything at all . . .”
“I know. Thank you. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“I never would.”
“I gotta get back to work figuring out how to incorporate sex toys and marital aids into our health and wellness line. Never thought I’d say that sentence out loud.”
Ella snorted with laughter. “Good old Dad strikes again.”
“Thank goodness it’s going to be your problem getting the sales force onboard. No way I can imagine having that conversation with all the lovely grandmothers who work for us.”
“You’re so cute that they’d be filled with warm thoughts of Wade Abbott on cold winter nights.”
“Eww.”
Ella lost it laughing at the face he made.
“On that note, I’m outta here.” He tossed the stress ball to her and made a hasty exit.
After he left, Ella couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d told her and how awful it had to be caring about Mia the way he did but not knowing if she was okay.
Since she was apparently taking a break from work, Ella stood and stretched and then left her office to cross the hall to Hunter’s. “Knock, knock.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
Ella stepped into Hunter’s office and closed the door. “I need a favor.”
“Okay . . .”
“It’s a weird favor and you may not approve, but I need the favor anyway.”
“That was a hell of an intro. Lay it on me.”
“I want to take Gavin to Dylan’s wedding, and I need you to help me with the logistics. I don’t know Dylan as well as you do.”
He tapped his mechanical pencil against his lip as he contemplated her request. “I thought Gavin said he wasn’t going to the wedding.”
“That’s what he said. Yes.”
“So, um . . .”
“Nolan told me he never goes to Sultan things anymore, except for when they’re here.”
“That’s true.”