Rhiannon:Thanks, you’re the best. Let’s get lunch together soon.
Leo: See you soon.
I set my phone down, lean back, and exhale.
If they think they can intimidate me, they’ve picked the wrong woman. I’ve already lost too much to be afraid of losing anything else.
Chapter 10 – Rhiannon
Two weeks later, I’m in the District Courthouse in New York City, suffocating in a suit that I haven’t worn since college back when I weighed twenty pounds less and thought I’d never need to dress up for anything more serious than a presentation onMaslow’s hierarchy of needs.
Who knew the next time I’d wear this suit would be because of asuit—specifically, one filed against me over a few simple social media posts.
I’d hoped the whole thing would quietly disappear like Leo said it would. That Madison, Matt and their legal dream team over atPrescott & Associateswould realize how ridiculous it all was. But no such luck.
They pushed it forward, and now I’m sitting in a courthouse instead of behind a screen, talking to my clients and givingrelationship coaching, trying to pretend this isn’t my personal nightmare.
Leo keeps saying they don’t have a case. Easy for him to say, he’s been sued before and always got off. I haven’t. And my valiant attempt to keep this from Gabriel and Eden lasted right up until this morning, when panic turned my room into the aftermath of a retail explosion.
I tore through every piece of clothing I own, looking for something that said,‘I’m innocent,’without also screaming,‘I just have great humor and like providing alternative perspectives!’
Eden eventually stormed in, took one look around, and decided for me. According to her, my best and only option was this bright red, two-piece suit with a black lace camisole underneath. I wasn’t convinced, but I put it on anyway. And now here I am sweating through polyester, trying not to slip out of the only pair of black heels I own that don’t make me look like I moonlight at a strip club.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. In fact, I might hit one up after this if I win. Celebratory wings and a spin on the pole with Leo sound fun.
It’s late-October now, and the city’s cooled down, but the temperature inside of the courthouse is unbearable. I wonder if a judge or other employee who works here has a circulation problem and requires the whole place to be as warm as two teenagers hot boxing a car. Red suit was not the right choice.
I tug at the fire-engine colored jacket sleeves while sweat beads at the nape of my neck.
“Leo!” I call out, spotting my best friend and stand-in lawyer across the crowded courthouse lobby. I wave obnoxiously, probably drawing more attention than I should and eliciting afew judgy glares from the other Suits that are rushing around the place with their clients.
He sees me immediately and strides over, his eyes doing an exaggerated once-over of what I’m wearing while he dramatically mouths “wow.”
“Interesting choice. Is this one of yoursexy adminoutfits from back in college?” he teases, referencing the very brief stint I spent as an administrative assistant for my statistics professor freshman year.
Did I have a crush on him? Yes.
Was he also twenty years older than me and a divorced, single dad? Also, yes.
It was an age gap romance waiting to happen that fizzled before it could even start.
“No. Wait. You wore this for Halloween one year, didn’t you?”
“No, smartass. It’s the only professional thing I own. All my consults are virtual these days, so I’ve only had to dress from the waist up for years.”
He arches a brow. “So… do you do your sessions in your underwear?”
“Usually.” I grin.Or Cain’s boxers.
Leo laughs, the sound light and reassuring, before pulling me into a quick hug.
“Well, I think you look hot in it. But let’s hope the judge doesn’t think you’re trying out for aJessica Rabbitlook-alike contest instead.”
I gasp extra dramatically, placing my hand over my chest. “Do you think I’m as beautiful asJessica Rabbit?"
He grips my shoulders, holding me back like he’s examining the outfit again. “Eh, maybe more likeElastigirl.”
“Okay, being compared to one ofTheIncrediblesbefore I sit in front of a judge isn’t reassuring. Even if she has a nice ass.”
