Trusting Hearts (The Heart Series)

by S. Donahue

  Trusting Hearts – Kindle Edition Copyright © 2014 S. Donahue - All rights reserved. Trusting Hearts is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or places is strictly and entirely coincidental. This is a self-published work. All rights belong to the author S. Donahue. Please note that no parts of this book may be copied, used, or redistributed in any manner without written consent from the author. Book design by A.C. Haury. Open fonts obtained from Fontsquirrel.com and 1001 Open Fonts. These have an open license and are available for commercial use. Kristi font obtained from FontSquirrel. Times New Roman used for Kindle format only. Photography obtained legally through 123rf. Image Copyrights belong to curaphotography, Robert Byron, blinkblink1 and Viorel Sima. ISBN: 1494867451 /ISBN-13: 978-1494867451

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my mother. Thank you for raising us as a single mother and for always putting us first no matter what.

  Chapter One

  Rachel Rossini sat pensively in the ultra-modern waiting room of the law firm that her sister Gia worked at: Feinstein, Warren and Licciano, LLC. Located in Center City, Philadelphia, it is a prestigious law firm with an excellent reputation. Since Gia was out on maternity leave, Rachel had an appointment with Gia’s colleague, Carson Licciano. Carson was an old friend of Rachel’s and was Gia’s best friend Maria’s fiancé. Carson, Maria and Gia all worked together at the law firm. Carson was a really great guy and he just so happened to be one of the best divorce attorneys in town. He earned brownie points in Rachel’s book when Carson had saved Gia’s life about ten months prior from a physical attack when one of the other attorneys they worked with, named Tom, tried to rape her. Rachel was still reeling from the incident.

  Who does that? People in this world today are sick!

  The secretary had not returned yet and Rachel could feel her mind drifting into daydreams as she stared out at the Center City skyline. Rachel recalled the events that led up to the moment that she decided to call the divorce attorney; a decision that she did not take lightly. She hadn’t called right away. She waited an entire eight months before making her decision. She wanted to make sure that she was making the right choice.

  Rachel’s husband of eighteen years, Vinnie Rossini, was cheating on her. Nearly a year ago, Rachel discovered that he was fucking his secretary, Clara Pomodoro. After begging and pleading for Rachel to take him back, she caved in to Vinnie’s will. In other words, she took his sorry ass back. Not long after, Gia caught Vinnie in a bar with another woman while they were on vacation down at the Jersey Shore. Rachel was furious when she discovered that it was the same woman, Clara. Naturally, Vinnie denied that he had any feelings for Clara and begged for forgiveness. Rachel called his bluff.

  Rachel felt that if you continually cheated on your wife with the same ratchet, nasty airhead woman, you obviously have feelings for her.

  Vinnie was a master manipulator and always knew how to get his way with Rachel, but this time things were different. Rachel felt so much stronger and more determined than ever to turn her life around and leave Vinnie in the dust. She hoped her strength could stand up against his relentless charm.

  Rachel was distracted from her thoughts as the noisy clip-clop of the secretary’s designer pumps paced across the floor. She pulled out her desk chair and flopped down. Suddenly, the secretary realized that she wasn’t alone. Rachel thought she looked a little spacey. After a few moments of silence, Rachel approached the front desk. The secretary hadn’t even bothered to ask if she needed assistance.

  “Hi. My name is Rachel Rossini. I have a 12:30 appointment with Carson Licciano,” said Rachel courteously.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say your name was? I’ll let him know that you’re here,” said the secretary appearing distracted and confused.

  How unprofessional. Gia’s going to hear about this.

  “Rachel Rossini… I’m Giavonna Roberts’ sister,” said Rachel, trying to keep her attitude in check.

  “Oh, it’s so nice to meet you! How is she doing? Did she have the baby yet?!” asked the secretary who was suddenly acting like Rachel’s best friend.

  “She’s getting ready to deliver the baby any day now.”

  “That’s so great. Send her my love.”

  “Uh sure… What is your name?”

  “Melissa… Melissa Wainwright.”

  “I’ll be sure to tell her you said hi.”

  Rachel could not take another moment in the girl’s presence. The last name didn’t escape her either. Before hearing that she was a Wainwright, Rachel had no clue how a girl like that could land a job at a reputable law firm such as Rosenberg, Licciano and Wainwright, LLC. That is when she realized that she was probably related to one of the partners.

  There was something about the girl that Rachel didn’t like. She planned on asking Gia about her later.

  Rachel took her seat again thought about how much her life had changed in the last year. Her sister Gia was happily married and having a baby. Rachel’s twin sons, Jay and Jeff, were now teenagers and as rowdy as can be. Vinnie moved out of the house but he was still lurking around. Rachel meanwhile was getting to know the sexy as hell Dr. Colin Hill better through an endless stream of text messages. Dr. Hill was the emergency room doctor that tended to Gia last summer when she fainted after hearing Rachel’s declaration of love for Brad. Her declaration turned out to be completely untrue. Rachel was in love of the idea of a man like Brad, but not Brad himself. Rachel was going through emotional stress over Vinnie’s indiscretions and had momentarily lost her mind.

  The ditzy secretary stood up from behind her desk and glanced in Rachel’s direction.

  “Mrs. Rossini… Mr. Licciano will see you now.”

  Every time someone called Rachel by her married name, she always thought of the crazy old lady from the 80’s sitcom, Who’s the Boss? She couldn’t wait to have her name changed after the divorce was finalized from her no-good, cheating, stalking soon-to-be ex-husband.

  Rachel walked down the long hallway towards Carson’s office just feet behind Melissa. Melissa thought she was hot shit. Her too-tight, too-short black pencil skirt rode up higher than was ever appropriate. She shook her dry, over treated hair as she walked with her nose in air. Rachel rolled her

  eyes at Melissa as she followed behind.

  Oh, please. My stilettos are louder than your ugly pumps. Take that.

  Melissa led Rachel to an oak door at the end of the hallway and grabbed the door knob to open the door.

  “This is Mr.Licciano’s office,” said Melissa, clearly proud of herself.

  “Thanks,” Rachel said, thinking that she probably could have found it herself considering that Carson’s name was hung right on the door in large letters on a gold-plated sign. Rachel went to open the door, but Melissa insisted on opening it for her. Rachel was starting to believe that they had some really dedicated employees at this place.

  When Rachel entered the office, she had a sense that everything was going to be okay. Her anxiety seemed to wash away as she stepped over the threshold to Carson’s office. She had been so nervous leading up to this appointment.

  “HeyRach… How are you?” Carson asked as a warm smile grew on his face.

  “I’m good, considering…”

  “Have a seat,” Carson gestured to the empty arm chair that sat in front of his dark mahogany desk.

  “I know that we talked on the phone, but I want to make sure that this is what you want to do.”

  Rachel pondered Carson’s question just as she had for the past eight months. She knew it was
the right thing to do for her and the boys. She was past the point of no return.

  “I’m positive. I’m tired of Vinnie’s tactics. He cheated on me, but I was faithful. I’m also considering taking out a restraining order because I’m tired of seeing his face every time I turn around.”

  “Maybe you should have Maria represent you. I’m doing this because Gia made me promise, but you know Vinnie’s my friend,” said Carson warily. The last thing he wanted was a conflict of interest.

  “Yeah, I don’t get it. He’s an asshole. You’re too nice to be his friend. Gia said you’re the best divorce lawyer around. I have to have you.”

  “Okay, I’ll help you,” Carson said with hesitation in his voice.

  “I have a question for you,” Rachel began as she scrutinized Carson from across the desk. “Did you know that he was down the shore with that woman when he showed up at the bar?” Rachel asked.

  “Rach… Really? Don’t you think I would have told him that Gia was at the bar? I was with her and Brad. I didn’t even know he cheated on you before that. Maria told me that night after everything went down. I left the bar before he showed up anyway. He wouldn’t tell me. He knows it’s too close. You could find out and with our history and all that…”

  Rachel stopped to think but she didn’t want to go there at that moment.

  “So this stays between me and you?” Rachel asked, covering her tracks.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t jeopardize my job, but I am jeopardizing my friendship with Vinnie because he’s going to be pissed when he finds out I’m representing you.”

  “Don’t I deserve a chance to live again? With you on my side, I’ll get that chance,” Rachel said with hope in her voice.

  “Rachel, I have a question…” said Carson with intensity in his voice.

  “Ask away…”

  “Are you seeing anyone?”

  Rachel gulped.

  “No. Well, not technically. I’m sort of in a texting relationship with someone,” Rachel said confidently.

  Carson glanced at Rachel with a funny look on his face.

  “What’s that?”

  “I had one date with a doctor, but he lives in Wildwood so we don’t see each other a lot due to our schedules. We text each other and occasionally talk on the phone.”

  “Is this like the show Catfish?” Carson asked with a smirk on his face.

  “Um… No… I met him.”

  “I’m joking. But in all seriousness, I suggest you stop because we don’t want to give Vinnie any ammunition to fight back.”

  “Great. He already took twenty-four years of my life and I have to give him more?”

  “Rach, I understand where you’re coming from, but for now we have to cover all of our bases until this is finalized.”

  “How long is this going to take?” asked Rachel, becoming impatient.

  “That all depends on whether or not he contests, and I think we both know that he will.”

  Rachel wanted to scream. Vinnie somehow managed to rule Rachel’s life without even living in the same house. When she kicked Vinnie out, he moved in with his mother, only four blocks away. Rachel just couldn’t get rid of him.

  “I haven’t seen him in a while. He usually stops by the bar to watch the Phillies game.”

  “That’s because he’s too busy stalking me.”

  “Are you scared for your life?” asked Carson with a serious expression on his face.

  Rachel desperately wanted to answer Carson’s question with a definitive and resounding yes. She would be lying, though. If Vinnie pushed her to that point, Rachel knew she could take him down with one swift kick to the balls. He wasn’t harmful to her on a regular basis, but when he started drinking, that was another story entirely. He turned into a complete asshole.

  “No, I’m not scared. I just want this to be over. Can you tell me how much this is going to cost me?”

  “I’m not going to charge you for my services. You would only have to pay your court fees.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “I’ve known you forever. We went all through school together. We even dated before Vinnie stole you from me. Then you had to go and fall in love with him.”

  He had to go there.

  “I know. Falling in love with Vinnie was the biggest mistake of my life. The only good thing I got out of it was my babies.”

  A sad expression overcame Carson’s handsome face and the sight of it tugged at Rachel’s heart. She wondered if he was thinking of that day, so long ago when she broke his heart.

  “I’m sorry for hurting you,” said Rachel softly.

  “It was a long time ago. Its water under the bridge,” said Carson nonchalantly, as if it didn’t still bother him.

  “It still matters, though.”

  “Yeah, well you were always special to me. You still are. You will find someone who’ll treat you right and deserves what you have to offer.”

  “Thanks,” Rachel replied, feeling touched that he shared his feelings with her.

  “Hey, Carsy?”

  It had been a while since he heard that nickname.

  Smiling, he replied, “Yeah?”

  I’ve always loved Carson’s smile.

  “Now you can get revenge on Vinnie. Do whatever you have to do to get him out of my life!”

  “I tried twenty three years ago. He won then, too,” said Carson in a defeated tone.

  “I have faith in you. I’ll be in touch. Give Maria my love.”

  “Well…” said Carson hesitantly.

  “What? What’s wrong?” asked Rachel as she eyed Carson with concern.

  “She went to stay at her mother’s house last night. She said she needs space. She doesn’t know if she’s ready to settle down.”

  “Oh my God, that’s crazy. It’s probably just wedding jitters and stress. You’ll work it out.”

  “I don’t know. I’m tired of her drama. She likes to go out and party with her friends. I like to stay home and relax. Don’t get me wrong, I go to the bar to watch sports and that sort of thing but that’s really it.”

  “She’s still young. She may realize before the wedding,” Rachel encouraged. She continued, “I have to get going. I have to be back at work in ten minutes. I will give you a call tomorrow to follow up. Good luck with Maria.”

  Rachel was trying to sound hopeful for Carson’s sake.

  “Thanks and Rach?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Maybe we can get lunch… or something next week to go over the paperwork?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Call me.”

  Rachel wanted to get out of the office quickly. Old feelings were starting to stir. Carson was her first love. They knew each other growing up and went all through Catholic school together. They had dated for two years in high school and even attended their sophomore and junior proms together. Everyone thought Carson and Rachel would end up married one day, but then bad boy Vinnie decided he was going to pursue Rachel. Vinnie always had a way of manipulating her, even back then. She ended up cheating on Carson one night with Vinnie and decided she had to end the relationship. She went right to Carson’s house after, to tell him what happened. She could have never continued to see Carson and lie about what happened with Vinnie. Carson was completely heartbroken and Rachel felt so guilty. He wanted to work it out but she thought Vinnie was the one for her. She started dating Vinnie and ended up falling in love with him. They were married at the age of twenty-four and had two kids by the age of twenty-eight. They were so happy. Sometimes in life, people make decisions that they regret. Leaving Carson was one of Rachel’s biggest regrets. Seeing him today brought back so many memories for her. She should have listened to her mother when she told her not to break up with Carson for Vinnie. She was still kicking herself for making the wrong decision so many years ago.

  Chapter Two

  Rachel was so busy that her cell phone never seemed to stop ringing. It was starting to get to her. She had to carry two cell phones
: one for work and her personal phone. As her phone rang, she whipped it open and answered in an agitated tone.

  “Hello?” Rachel answered with an attitude.

  “It’s Gia. What’s your problem?”

  “Nothing. How are you doing?”

  “I’m good. Ready to have this baby! My back is killing me. How did you make out with Carson?”

  “It went well. He’s going to take my case.”

  “The most important thing is to get Vinnie out of your life,” Gia proclaimed.

  “I can divorce Vinnie, but unless he gets taken out, he’s never going to be out of my life.”

  “I didn’t hear that.”

  “I just left. I’m on my way back to the office. Did you talk to Maria?”

  “She just called me.”

  “She told you about having cold feet.”

  “Yeah. Did Carson tell you?”

  “Yes, he did. Is she crazy? He’s a great guy.”

  “I know. He seems to have bad luck with women.”

  “You’re so funny! What did she say?”

  “She’s not ready for this type of commitment. I think she’s cheating on him. She didn’t come right out and say it, but I know these things. Don’t tell Carson that I said that.”