“You and Griffin are my family.”
Since I couldn’t find the words to express how that made me feel, I poured all my emotions into the kiss I planted on him.
Which went on until a throat cleared behind us, and we broke apart to find Landon standing there. I knew he wanted to go over some stuff before we left.
“I have to change and then I’ll be in your office,” I told him.
Landon smiled, giving a small nod in agreement. “Sounds like a plan,” he replied before turning and leaving the room.
My attention returned to my husband.
“Go change, meet Landon, and I will meet you in the lobby when it’s time to leave.”
Heart beating with hope, my eyes rounded in surprise. I thought he’d have to work since they’d been working on a big security install earlier.
“You’re coming?”
He couldn’t go inside either, nor could Chaz’s wife, Sloane. It would just be the two parties involved, and our lawyers.
“There was never a question I’d be as close to your side as I can be.” He leaned in and gave me a tender kiss. “A few weeks ago, you told me we’re a team. It’s you and me, Roo.”
I will not cry.
“I love you, sweetheart.”
Crap, I was going to cry.
“Love you too,” I managed to get out before the third set of tears trickled down my cheeks.
Maybe I’d be fresh out of tears before we got there and could save face in front of the rich jerks.
Not once did I cry.
From the moment we walked into the building where the mediation was being held, all I felt was anger and determination. With those two feelings at my back, I held strong.
Right there in the lobby, moving toward the elevators, were Chaz and Sloane, along with four other men. All lawyers, I was sure. One I recognized as Chaz’s father, whom Landon despised because of how he operated, and the fact that he was friends with his parents.
I found myself wondering who needed that many lawyers.They meant to intimidate, but I wasn’t letting it get under my skin. This was my fight to win.
Griffin wasmyson.
Alley only half-whispered, clearly not caring who heard because that was how she rolled. “I feel like this scene is the start of a bad joke.How many lawyers does it take for one idiot to win a case?”
When I snort-laughed, Jett squeezed my hand, and I turned to see him grinning. Why in the world he thought the silly things I did were cute was beyond me.
“Behave, dear,” Landon chided with no heat, laughter in his tone.
I looked over at the happy couple and saw Landon smiling adoringly at Alley. It didn’t matter what she did; in his eyes, she could do no wrong. She could be brash, blunt, and very outspoken, but it always served a purpose, and he loved every part of her. All those things, along with many other amazing qualities were why we all thought she was amazing too.
“Yeah, yeah,” she replied with a huff, like she was put out.
As we reached the elevators, the others stepped inside one that had just arrived. Sloane turned her back to the wall, watching us with a smug smile on her face as one of the gentlemen I didn’t know held the door. Her clothes screamed dollar signs, and she clearly thought she was better than all of us—some things never change, even since high school. Chaz, along with the rest of them were in top-dollar suits that probably cost more than all my clothes combined.
For a brief moment, I felt sad for them; they may be rich, but it was meaningless. As for me, I was rich in love. I had Jett, Griffin, and so many phenomenal friends.
Alley waved them off. “We’ll grab the next one. There’s way too much arrogance in this elevator; it would be stifling.”
The man holding the door let it go as everyone’s mouthsfell open. Yup, that was the effect the woman had on people. I was so darn glad she’d come along.
