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Our waitress walked over with our food and asked if we needed anything else.
“Two bourbons, neat,” Levi said.
He stared at me with a sympathetic look.
“I know I think about her first thing in the morning, and she’s the last thing on my mind at night. She hadn’t been feeling well, and I was concerned.”
“Well, now you know why she wasn’t feeling well. She’s pregnant and probably has morning sickness.”
I cocked my head at him. “That explains why she left my bed in the mornings before I woke up.”
Our waitress brought over our bourbons and set them in front of us.
“Thank you,” I said, picking up the glass.
“Listen, Miles. This is exactly what your mother and uncle were talking about. You don’t know how to live life outside of your work.”
“That is not true!” I threw back my bourbon.
“Yes, it is. Yeah, back in the day, we partied too much. We would go out, get drunk, pick up women, go home, get up for work, and repeat. Then I met Laurel, and she changed that for me. Your entire life, you’ve been in work mode. It’s what your parents drilled into your head. And like I said, I think your mother realized that. You chose Stella for a reason. She wasn’t just some random chick you picked up in Vegas. I saw the way your eyes lit up when she stepped onto the plane. I saw how you looked at her at the courthouse when you two married. I was happy because I said to myself that she was the one. She was the one who was going to make him happy and realize there’s more to life than work. And from the bottom of my heart, I knew you wouldn’t have the marriage annulled once your year was up. But I guess I was wrong since you told her last night you’re having your attorney draw up the papers.”
“She deserves a better man than me.”
“That’s for her to decide, Miles. For fuck’s sake. She’s carrying your baby. YOUR BABY. You must have some sort of feeling in that heart of stone. God. If Laurel told me she was pregnant, I’d be over the moon with happiness. This child is yours and the heir to Bradshaw Capital.” He pointed at me.
“I can’t be a father.”
“Why?”
“I already failed as a husband.”
“You weren’t a real husband to begin with. You can make up all kinds of excuses to convince yourself that you aren’t in love with her. But I know what I know and what I see.” He stood up and threw some cash on the table. “Lunch is on me, friend. Figure your shit out and call me when you do.” He shook his head and walked away.
Pulling out my phone, I called Nolan.
“What’s up, Miles?”
“I need the annulment papers done today.”
“I’m working on them now. You’ll have them by the end of the day.”
“Thanks, Nolan.”
I left the restaurant and had Sean drive me back to Bradshaw Capital. When I passed Isla’s desk, she told me my new office was ready. When I stepped inside, I sighed.
“I want the walls painted a different color and get these pictures off the wall.”
“Why?” Isla asked.
“Because it reminds me too much of my mother and my uncle. Get it taken care of. Until it’s done, I’ll be down at my old office, and you’ll be sitting at your old desk.”
“Damn you, Miles,” she whined. “You couldn’t have said anything before everything was moved?”
“I’m heading to the art gallery to find new artwork. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I called a dear friend of mine as I sat in the back of the Escalade.
“Mr. Miles Bradshaw. Long time no talk, my friend.”
