“I have to get up and get ready for my meeting,” I mutter as I turn my head to meet his kiss.
“I know. I figured you might need a little stress reliever before then.” He grins against my lips as his hands drift down to work their magic. He pushes into me from behind, his fingers working over my clit until I’m gripping the pillow and calling out his name. He finishes a second later, the two of us so in sync these days, our orgasms are almost always simultaneous.
“You really are the best alarm clock I’ve ever had.” I kiss him before throwing off the sheets and hopping out of bed.
I open the closet, knowing the ideal outfit is going to be there waiting for me. And it is. A sharp gray pantsuit, perfectly tailored and matched with a killer pair of red heels. The only thing different from my standard wardrobe back home is the polka-dotted blouse that ties in a floppy bow at the collar. I wish I could say I hate it, but it actually adds the perfect amount of flair. As I dress, I catch sight of Ben’s reflection in the mirror. He’s still in bed, the sheets draped over his waist, and he’s watching me like he can’t believe how lucky he is. Slipping into the suit feels a little like slipping into the old me, but I know the old me would never look at this life we’ve made in Heart Springs and feel grateful for it.
I slip in a pair of gold stud earrings and turn back toward the bed. I lean down and kiss him again, letting this one linger. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck, sweetheart. You’ve got this in the bag.”
I throw him a wink over my shoulder as I head out. “I know.”
He laughs and the sound follows me to the front door. Most days lately we sit and share a cup of coffee in front of the Christmas tree, enjoying the cozy morning together, but today I don’t have time for that.
Instead, I push through the café, hoping Mimi is around to provide me with the necessary caffeine. She waits behind the counter, though, as usual, there’re no other customers waiting for a drink.
Her eyebrows raise when she sees me. “Espresso shot?”
“Actually I’ll take one of those peppermint mocha things.” What can I say, I’ve developed an addiction to sweet coffee.
Her eyebrows rise even farther, but she turns to prepare my drink without further comment about my change in tastes. “You look nice.”
“Thanks. Anna and I are meeting today with the nephew’s legal team.” I refuse to acknowledge the man has an actual name, only referring to him asthe nephew.
“How’s it going to go?”
“Well, we don’t really know that until the meeting is over.”
Mimi gives me a sharp look as she hands me my drink in its reusable cup. “How’s it going to go?”
I grin. “I’m going to kick his ass.”
“Good.”
I spin around, heading to the front door. “I’ll bring the cup back on my way home.”
“Make sure you do,” she says, though there’s several layers of teasing in her voice. “Oh, and Campbell?”
I stop by the front door, turning to face her.
“I’m proud of you. For taking this on, and for helping Anna.” She offers me a small smile and a wave, dismissing me like she didn’t just completely rock my world.
Her words run through my mind over and over as I stroll toward the toy store. Really, for a meeting like this, we should be meeting somewhere neutral, but the only place I know of in town like that is the conference room at Noah’s office and I’m not about to ask him for the space for obvious reasons.
Anna is anxious when I arrive at the toy store, but we run through everything one more time, and it seems to soothe her nerves.
And the meeting goes exactly as I predicted it would.By the time we’ve finished presenting our evidence, the nephew’s lawyers are shooting each other knowing looks. They tell us they need some time to discuss and consider their options, but it doesn’t take more than an hour before they’re calling and capitulating.
I’m ready for Anna’s hug this time and accept it with no qualms. She has tears in her eyes, and I have to blink away my own because I do not get emotional over cases. Especially ones I’ve won.
I leave Anna with strict instructions to not say or do anything more until all the paperwork is signed. And I don’t even jump when the squad of ducks hollers at me as I exit the toy store.
Ben is waiting on the front porch of his house with two glasses of champagne, and we toast my victory and kiss under the mistletoe he’s hung over the front door.
It’s a perfect day in what’s become a very long string of perfect days.
And it blends into yet another perfect night.
