Chapter 44 " Just a friend . Why are you up ? " Maxine said gently . She picked Jessica up and settled her on her lap . " Did you wake up hungry ? " Jessica shook her head , looking a little out of it . " I dreamed about Mommy and Daddy ." Maxine felt a lump rise in her throat . She couldn't speak , Kids really had a sixth sense for things , didn't they ? Maxine managed a soft smile . " You miss them ? " Jessica didn't answer . She just wrapped her arms around Maxine . Maxine stroked her back gently . Before long , Jessica had fallen back asleep in her arms . Then Maxine carried the little girl back to bed , careful not to wake her . Watching Jessica's soft , innocent face , Maxine quietly let go of the idea . She wasn't going to tell her . Jessica was too young . Losing both parents in such a short time - it was too much . Maxine couldn't bear breaking her heart again . The next morning , after dropping Jessica off at school , Maxine started reaching out to a few people she knew at the Blessings Hospital , trying to see if anyone could get Nathan's records . But after calling around all morning , Maxine got nothing . The sense of defeat was overwhelming . Just then , Maxine's phone rang . The number was unfamiliar . Maxine forced her weariness down and answered without much thought . " Hello ? Who's this ? " A smooth , polished male voice came through the line . " Hi . Is this Ms. Hudson ? This is Urban Soto . I'm a friend of Lucas's . " Maxine blinked , caught off guard . It took her a moment to recall what she'd said to Lucas the night before . Maxine pushed down the annoyance building in her chest . She said , " That's me - did Lucas give you my number ? I'm sorry , Mr. Soto . I really can't take your case right now . Things are pretty chaotic on my end . Maybe- " Urban chuckled softly , cutting her off with an easy , measured tone . Don't worry , Ms. Hudson . It's true I got your number from Lucas , but he made it very clear you were busy . Told me not to bother you , that you'd reach out when the time was right . " But I'm knee - deep in legal trouble and can't afford to wait . So I'm reaching out on my own , without telling him . Hope you don't mind . " Do you have time later ? I'd love to take you to lunch . " Maxine almost turned him down on the spot . But the man had clearly gone through Lucas , was polite , well - spoken , and respectful . Maxine couldn't bring herse ' flat - out refuse . After a moment's thought , Maxine said , " Send me the address , Mr. Soto . I'm free until four . " Urban sounded pleased . He quickly sent over the address - it was a well - known Southern fine dining spot tucked into a quiet corner of downtown . Maxine arrived right at lunchtime . The restaurant didn't offer general seating - just intimate private rooms reserved in advance . As soon as Maxine walked in , a host greeted her and led her upstairs to one of the suites . The host said softly , " Mr. Soto is inside , " before pushing the door open gently . Maxine picked up on it right away - the host obviously knew Urban personally . That made her a little wary , even uneasy about who he really was . Chapter 44 Then Maxine kept quiet and stepped inside . The room had been designed with a blend of modern elegance and vintage Southern charm . A tall folding screen blocked off the view inside , hand- painted with a soft watercolor of a reclining woman under warm amber light - artsy and refined , but not overdone . Once Maxine stepped in , the host left quietly . Maxine stepped farther in and saw the rest of the space : a low stone table in the center , carved with a narrow channel that let water trickle through like a decorative stream . In the corner , a leather fainting couch sat angled beneath a window , next to a walnut side table that held nothing but a linen napkin and a single ceramic cup . A young man sat there , tall and handsome . When he saw Maxine , Urban smiled with a calm , open charm and stood to greet her . " Ms. Hudson , it's a pleasure . I'm Urban Soto , " Urban said . Comment