Chapter 51: Best Laid Plans

Nicholas walked into the room a moment later. Ana eyes were on him distantly, but she was seeing the words from his letter in her mind. Nicholas walked over to her rolling table and set his briefcase on the top, snapping it open. He pulled out a thick stack of folders and turned to Ana trying to ignore Scott's inquisitive frown. 

"Hello sweetheart," Nicholas said softly causing Ana's eyes to snap to his. She jerked her gaze away as the memory of Evelyn wrapped around him rose unbidden in her mind. She wondered if she was traumatized by the memory with the way her stomach roiled at the thought. Her mouth felt dry, and she took a sip of water, still refusing to look at Nicholas. 

Scott squeezed her leg which she knew was his way of asking if she was alright. Ana gave him a tight smile that looked more like a grimace than an actual smile. 

When Ana couldn't bring herself to speak to Nicholas, he stepped forward and set the stack of folders in her lap.