This is one of the worst parts of being a lawyer representing entertainers. The entitlement to my personal space and time.
“Then make it stronger,” she huffs, sticking out her bottom lip. Madison has always been a beautiful woman, but the external beauty can’t mask the mean streak she has deep inside her heart that I’ve heard about personally.
Madison’s outer perfection has always been at odds with her venomous personality. She doesn’t show it online, but my sister’s told me stories about backstabbing friendships she’s had for decades and turning on suppliers with zero notice.
I tolerated her for as long as I needed to. For professional reasons, sure, and because my little sister Rosie claims that they’re friends. But no amount of fleeting physical attraction could make me overlook the fact that I never wanted anything more from her than her and her best friend Matt’s business.
And even that I’m not sure I want anymore.
I stretch out my legs, rolling my shoulders back and cracking my neck as I eye her with fresh detachment. She’s a paying client,yes, but I don’t need this case. In fact, losing it just hurt my winning streak that I’ve been maintaining for three years now.
“That’s not how the law works. She never directly named you or Matt in any of her videos. Yes, the content mirrors some of your posts, but it could just as easily mimic any of the other thousands of influencers providing similar lifestyle advice online. Also, there’s no case for defamation. You can’t sue for providing a counter perspective. Opinions aren’t a crime.”
I stop myself from saying what I really want which isthis should have never been a case to begin with.My patience is paper thin after seeing Rhiannon in the courtroom and watching the way her best friend held her.
Yes, I’m aware he’s in a relationship. I met his partner the night she ditched me at his apartment, and they seemed quite happy together. Yet those two facts do nothing to stop the burning need I felt seeing her again. But this time she was tucked in close to the side of another man.
The desire I feel to go back out there and hunt her down is strong… But I won’t. Not yet at least.
Instead, I adjust my tie and glance at my watch, annoyed that it’s already noon and I’ve wasted half my day working on a case I was always bound to lose. I’m annoyed that this case exists. Annoyed that I spent time fighting a battle against a woman I never thought I’d see again.
And, worst of all, I’m annoyed at the fact that the universe seems bent on forcing us to see each other. Because if I can’t have Rhiannon Carpenter for more than a night, then I’d be content in never seeing her again. But having her forced on me every few months like a tease is the worst edging I’ve ever experienced, and I need to put an end to it for good.
“So, you’re saying what I’m sharing is just my opinion?” Madison’s voice is full of disbelief. “You don’t believe that what Matt and I are sharing with the world is true? What kind of lawyer are you if you don’t support your clients?”
Her face is scrunched up in disgust, cheeks red as if she’s going to burst a blood vessel at that revelation. I did my research, what she’s sharing has been said before in many different formats and medias. It’s not that she’s right or wrong. It’s just that it’s notnew informationthat she’s uncovering for the first time.
“I’m simply stating that you don’t have enough evidence to sue for defamation. We should have never pursued this case in the first place.”
She huffs out a breath. “Well, can we at least, spend some time talking about this over lunch?”
I lean back. “Madison, I did this as a favor to my sister and that’s it.”
“Wait,” she says reaching out her hand and placing it on top of mine to stop me. “What about us? You haven’t responded to any of my text messages or calls in months.”
Has she texted and called me? I haven’t noticed.
Probably because I’ve either ignored them assuming she was trying to get in touch with Rosie or been drowning in the case work that my father’s been tossing my way, preparing me to make partner at his firm.
“There’s nous,Madison. There never was an us. I’m your lawyer, and you and Matt are my clients. That’s all this is.”
The truth is, I haven’t dated in years. I don’t have the time. The only time I carved out for sex this autumn was that one night in Hartford with Rhiannon. Which is exactly why Madison actinglike there was ever anuswhen I’ve said maybe five total words to her outside of work is laughable.
I’ve always kept things strictly professional. Made boundaries clear. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything left she could say that would surprise me at this point.
She pouts again. “But I only filed this case to see you.”
Yep. There it is. Consider me officially shocked. I’ve had people file cases for loads of reasons, revenge, reputation, pettiness, boredom, but just to score a date with me is a new one.
“I need to meet with another client over in Courthouse C,” I say brusquely. I shove my laptop in the brief case and then pull open the door before she can say another word. I don’t look back. I don’t need to. Rosie can take over her friend as a client for all I care.
The brief walk to the next court room gives me just enough time to stew over everything that happened this morning.
How had I let myself get roped into this circus? When I agreed to take on Matt and Madison’s case, I thought I was dealing with some random, online, faceless poster, someone Matt had exaggerated into a monster for the sake of getting ratings and maintaining their income.
I certainly hadn’t expected Rhiannon to be the person I was suing.
Her name replays in my mind like an itch I can’t scratch, and irritation prickles under my skin. I only took this ridiculous case because my little sister Rosie begged me to help out her friend. To this day, I’m not sure why they were even friends.
