Page 71 of For Your Consideration

I heard her talking to someone, I think she said Will. But I was zoning out, panicking, overthinking, imagining every worst-case scenario, a rapid list of questions running through my mind faster than I could catch them.

Can I afford a lawyer?

What if he gets shared custody?

What if he gets full custody?

What if I never see my daughter again?

Should I run?

If I leave, what about Iris?

What about Quinn? And this job?

What about Asher?

Quinn then grabbed my arm and as I looked up at her, she gave me a soft smile and pulled me up from my chair.

She led me into her office and pushed me onto the couch, then sat in one of the armchairs across from me. I tapped on my legs in a slow and steady rhythm to try and get the panic to subside.

I’d read about panic attacks online. I didn’t have money for a therapist when they first started so the internet was all I had. It had been helpful before and it was helping the ringing in my ears now.

“Sutton.”

I blinked and looked up to see Will standing in front of me, his sharp gaze focused on my face. He sat down on the coffee table in front of me.

“You got here fast.” My voice was hoarse and strained so I cleared my throat, trying to feel more like myself. I actually had no idea how long I’d been sitting here, staring into space, panicking.

“Of course. What happened?” His voice was calm, his presence grounding.

I sat up, pushing my shoulders back, and cleared my throat once again. My heartbeat had calmed. I needed to focus. I couldn’t freak out now. I had let myself panic and now that was over, it was time to focus on my daughter.

“I need a lawyer. My ex just called and said he’s going to sue for custody of Sophie.”

I watched Will’s brows furrow and jaw tighten as I explained the highlights of the conversation Ben and I just had.

Will didn’t say a word, letting me get it all out. Which was good because I was talking fast enough that if I stopped I might start panicking again. Once I finished, Will thought for a moment and then nodded.

“I need to make a call. As good as I am, I won’t risk Sophie by being your lawyer. I could not keep cool and I don’t do much in this area anyway. I know someone who specializes in family law—she’s the best there is. Let me call her.” He stood up but reached over and put his hand on my shoulder. “We got this, Sutton, no one is taking her from you. We won’t allow it.” His confidence brought more tears to my eyes but I blinked them back and nodded as he went toward my desk to make the call.

“Believe him,” Quinn said as she came to sit beside me on the couch. “He may seem like the nice level-headed one but no one messes with him or the people he cares about. I’ve heard stories and he’s ruthless when he needs to be. All the guys are like that.”

I couldn’t really hear Will’s conversation but before long he was nodding his head, putting the phone down, and coming to take the armchair across from me that Quinn had been in.

“She’ll be here in twenty minutes. Turns out she was in the area.”

“Thanks, Will.” I took a breath for what felt like the first time since I hung up the phone.

It was just the start of this fight but at least I had someone coming to figure it out because I was out of my depth. The panic was receding with a plan.

“She’s damn good at her job, just remember that because she hates me,” Will said, looking a little sheepish.

“Have you guys lived here long enough for someone to hate you?”

He laughed and I smiled a little, although it felt shaky, just like my hands. I tucked them under my legs so neither of them would notice.

“Long story, but yes. We’ve crossed paths. However, she does owe me a favor and I just called it in.”