AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She puts her hand up. “We’re good.”
The guys stack the boxes and are lifting them by the time I reach them with my briefcase in hand. They greet me and then head toward the doors to the courtroom.
As soon as Leisa makes it through the checkpoint, she shakes her head. “She’s out of hand.”
“I agree.”
“Besides the sneak change for the trial this morning,” she says as we walk together. Her heels clack against the stone floor, her own crankiness revealed through her voice and the heavy steps she’s taking. “You ready for this?”
“Am I?”
“No,” she says, “trust me, you’re not.”
“Hit me with it anyway.” We stop, and she holds up her phone to show me an email.
I read the first two lines, which is enough. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
“I wish I were. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“It’s Monday fucking morning, and she wants to pull this shit?”
“I honestly didn’t know if I should laugh or cry for you. Judge Judy is persistent. I’ll give her that.”
“I can handle her.” Though I thought I had already made my personal views on dating her clear. I raise my hand to run it through my hair, but I gelled it today, so I shove it in my pocket out of frustration. “This is not only highly irregular and disruptive to my client, but this is the last stand. We can’t get a fair trial with her acting like a loose cannon.”
Leisa laughs. “You’re more polite than I am about this sexual harassment. I was about to call her a lot worse than a loose cannon.”
We start walking toward the courtroom. “Just another reason we work so well together.”
After getting our boxes settled beside the table, the bailiff leads me out of the courtroom and down a short hall. Judge Wexham is on the plaque next to the door. I’m given a dirty look when I laugh. If he only knew she was using her appointed position as a dating service for herself.
He knocks and then turns the knob.
“Your honor,” I say, sick of this shit but smart enough to handle the situation with kid gloves. “What’s the meaning of this?”
She’s tucked behind her desk, looking like she might want to actually conduct business. Oh. This is unexpected, but I’m relieved to see her acting like a professional. “Sit down, Mr. Westcott.”
I remain standing.
She appears ready for a standoff with her arms firmly planted in front of her on the desk and not a hint of smile on her face. “How are you?” Leaning forward, she adds, “Friend to friend.”
“Better than ever.”
“Good.” Sitting back, she lets her hair flow from the elastic she had it tied back with and shakes it free. “I’ve been thinking that you and I got off track somehow.”
Track? I jumped from the train traveling that track and heading for a disaster the night she showed up at my apartment. But I keep my mouth shut.
She continues, unzipping her robe, “Have you reconsidered my offer? We could make such a powerful legal team.” She better have on some fucking clothes underneath.
A royal-blue suit covers her to the neck. Thank God. “I haven’t, your honor.”
“Please, call me Judge Judy in my private quarters.”
I stare at her, not sitting but rocking back on my heels with my hands in my pockets to keep myself from filing at least four ethics and code of conduct violations against her. “You know all the evidence supports my clients, but you continue with this onslaught of indecency in the courtroom, making a mockery of this courthouse. Let’s end this now and wrap up this trial.”
“And what are you going to do for me?”
Pressing my hands firmly to the desktop, I say, “Let you continue to sit in that chair and preside over cases.”
“Are you threatening me, Mr. Westcott?”
“No,” I reply, shaking my head and standing back up. “There’s enough evidence to convict yourself. So you tell me how we end this amicably and get this done.”
She huffs, her eyes sliding to the window and staring out. There’s no tension between us, which surprises me. I don’t feel impatient with anger or even the layers of annoyance I was suffering from earlier.
I’m calm.
I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this content before. It’s the Tuesday effect. My body’s makeup is rearranging all because of her.
As for Judy, I just feel sorry for her now. But I’ll work with her to find a solution that will satisfy both parties.
“It’s lonely at the top, Loch.” It’s good to hear her tone based on trust instead of being on the hunt. “I thought I’d be married by now, but here I am, taking the little bit of attention you gave me during our date and turning it into a circus.”
There’s an inclination to reassure her or make her feel better regarding her actions. But I do understand her craving to be loved. Until I met the right person, I didn’t realize I needed the same. Now, I’ve changed for the better. Even Harbor, Lark, and my dad see it, so I can sympathize.
