I simply couldn’t understand how it all folded together.And now I was frustrated, and my daughter was exasperated with my inability to fold a piece of paper.
A knock on the door offered a much-needed end to our crafting session.I was due to be at the small courthouse in town in an hour to meet Vance and Cockalorum for our mediation meeting.
Since my husband intended to get married again as soon as possible, he’d been quite accommodating in setting up the meeting.Which worked for me since I wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.
Keely greeted me on the other side of my door with a wide smile and at least four shopping bags hanging off each arm.“Hello, beautiful.”She kissed my cheek, then looked around me.“Where are my queens?”
I pointed over my shoulder, and she brushed past me to click-clack her way into the living room.Excited shrieks filled the air, and Orange even heaved himself up from his mat to join in on the hugs.Winston watched from his perch on top of the bookshelf.
Sticking my head into the room, I watched the girls and Orange surround Keely, going through the bags she’d brought.After giving Orange a small bone, she pulled out junk food, face masks, and manicure sets.
“I’m going to get ready.You guys good?”
They all ignored me, and I disappeared into the bathroom.Twenty minutes later, I was ready to go.Well, as ready as I’d ever get.Lately, I’d been running on empty with my Check Engine light flashing.
A glance in the mirror confirmed that I at least looked better than I felt.I looked almost confident, as if I actually had my shit together.
Tugging on my white blouse, I cursed when the move exposed more of my cleavage.I might have lost some of my volume, but what I had left didn’t like to be contained.
Pulling the material back up, I ran my damp hands over my fitted skirt.When I couldn’t hide out any longer, I left the bathroom, clutching my handbag tightly in front of me.
Keely whistled when I walked into the living room.“Hot momma alert.You look amazing.”
Tugging on my blouse again, I grimaced.“You sure?Should I have worn jeans?”
Keely untangled herself from the girls, who were draped all over her, and stood up from where she’d been sitting on the floor.“Absolutely not.You look amazing.How you lost so much weight but somehow kept your beautiful curves is a mystery.But don’t question it, embrace it.Now go so you won’t be late.Call if you need anything.”
“That should be my line.”
She gently turned me around to face the hallway, then gave my butt a tap.“You’ll be gone for two hours at most.Not enough time to rob a bank.”
The girls giggled, but her words had the desired effect.I relaxed enough to not risk falling over on my way to the car because my legs wobbled so much.
I spent the drive to the courthouse gripping the wheel until my knuckles turned white and my fingers ached.
After circling the courthouse for the fifth time, I finally found a spot.Since parallel parking was not one of my skills, it took me a few tries until I was somewhat in the spot.
Hurrying to the entrance, I stumbled up the steps leading to the open front door.A giant who could only be my lawyer was pacing back and forth, checking his watch every two seconds.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.I couldn’t find a parking spot.”
His head shot up, and I stumbled again.He was even more handsome in person.He was all muscles and sharp angles, his suit perfectly hugging his body.
“First impressions count.”His gaze caught on mine, and his eyes flashed with something I couldn’t read.“And you only get one chance to make them.”
His lips thinned, and he turned and walked down the hall.
My heels clacked loudly on the pristine white tiles, the sound made even worse by the fact that I had to walk-run to catch up.We took the elevator up in uncomfortable silence while I studied my shoes.
I speed-walked out of the elevator and down to the conference room, following Vance’s wide back toward the open door.
I took a deep breath and choked on my saliva in the process.Coughing, I stopped outside the door.Vance had disappeared inside, clearly not noticing his client wasn’t with him.
Once I could take a breath without sounding like I’d been smoking a pack of cigarettes every day since I was ten, I went inside.All eyes turned to me, and my knees went weak.Vance was on one side of the long glass table, my husband and his lawyer on the other, and the mediator was at the head.
I sank into the seat next to Vance.There was water on the table in front of each person.I grabbed the one that was closest to the seat I’d taken, emptying it.
The room was so quiet, my loud gulps broke through the silence like gunshots.
