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“What would you do?” Juniper asks.
“I want to give him a deadline by which to provide me all the financial information I requested so I can evaluate the assets. If he doesn’t, I’ll make it clear that we’ll be making claims for spousal support based on physical abuse—”
“No,” Juniper exclaims, launching right out of the chair and tearing her hands free of mine. “I don’t want my business being splashed around.”
“Juniper,” Julia says, her tone conciliatory. “It’s merely a tactic to get him to comply. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”
“This is becoming too complicated,” she says. I hear the panic in her voice, so I stand and move straight into her. I pull her into my arms just like I did in the hotel room and hug her. She turns her head to the side so that she can still talk to Julia via the speakerphone. “Why does he have to make it so complicated?”
“Because he’s a narcissistic jackass,” I answer the question. Pulling back slightly, I tip Juniper’s chin up. “You need to hold him accountable, Juniper. You can’t let him get away with everything he’s done to you. With what he’s taken away from you.”
That last bit is a pointed reminder that Joshua took away her baby and it strikes hard. I see agony well up in Juniper’s eyes but she blinks only once, and fury is in its place.
She nods at me and then says to Julia, “Okay… you have my permission to play hardball with him. Make him give you what you need or take him down any way you deem feasible.”
“I’ll still consult you before I make any moves, but this gives me enough to get a letter off to him. I think I’ll have it served personally today. I’m going to give him a two-week deadline.”
“That’s a long time,” I muse as Juniper and I break apart. “Why so generous?”
“So he can’t go bitching to the court that I didn’t give him enough time. This way he can’t complain later.”
“Makes sense,” Juniper murmurs, then leans over to nab her phone. Holding it up, her voice sounds stronger. “Do what you need to and keep me updated.”
“I will,” Julia promises.
“And thank you for taking my case. I know this isn’t going to be easy.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
After Julia hangs up, Juniper turns to me. “Thank you again for hiring her. Once I get my divorce settlement, you know I’ll pay you ba—”
Her voice is cut off by my hand over her mouth. “I don’t want to hear any talk of paying me back.”
Juniper’s mossy eyes flash with irritation, a look I’ve missed over the years. Hell, I’ve missed her quick-to-action temper over minor slights. Cute as fuck and often would lead to arguments that weren’t all that heated but still prolonged because we knew the makeup sex would be great.
Taking my wrist, Juniper shoves my hand away. “I’m paying you back every dime.”
“Fine,” I reply, tapping her on the nose, a signature move I used to do to let her know I thought she was adorable. “But please stop thanking me and promising to pay me back. I get it. I’ll get my money back and I’ll gladly accept it if it makes you feel better. But you don’t have to keep saying it, okay?”
“Okay,” she grumbles. “Just as long as you’re clear I’m grateful.”
“I’m clear.”
“Okay.”
“Fine.”
After a few seconds of silence, we grin at each other.
It prompts me to an act of spontaneity. “I’m going to take time off tomorrow. Want to go do some sightseeing?”
“Surely you want to spend your time off do—”
My hand goes back over her mouth and she quickly slaps it away with a glare.
I laugh. “I would love to show you the city, okay? Stop thinking you’re such a bother.”
“Fine,” she retorts, turning for my office door. “Stop being so bossy though. And stop putting your hand on my mouth. Next time I’ll bite it.”
