Don’t. Don’t even think like that.
Chapter Ninety
Emily
The hallways and waiting areas are teaming with people as I navigate my way toward the stairs. I grit my teeth with each step as my combat boots clomp on the floor.
Thankfully, the cacophony of garbled voices and muffled laughter drowns out the obnoxious noise. But to my own ears, it’s as annoying as walking across these same freshly waxed floors with wet soles.
I’m in too much of a hurry to look back to see where Dale is but I know he’s following behind me by his boisterous greetings of everyone he passes.
My thighs burn as I take the steps two at a time, hand gripping the slick wooden banister with my rebelling heart letting me know it’s been too long since I’ve hit the gym.
One day, I’ll go back to the gym. But when Grace is asleep, I need food, sex, and sleep. I probably need to sleep the most, but it typically gets put on the backburner after the other two.
When I round the corner, I come to a complete halt with my mouth gaping open. There, in front of Courtroom 12, is not only mine and Jake’s families, but also all our friends.
A collection of, ‘Hey, Em, Em, and Hey, there,’ greets my shocked expression.
“What…” I sputter. No other words come out as Jake walks around the group of them with grace in his arms. He’s wearingblack dress pants and the mauve button-up shirt I picked out for him.
Of course, he’s gorgeous as always. Grace’s brown eyes meet mine, and she lifts her arms toward me.
“Hello, Love.” He grins, kisses me, and transfers Grace to me. She’s wearing a yellow onesie with mauve and purple flowers that highlights her beautiful skin tone, paired with a matching mauve tutu. “It’s about time you showed up.”
“Jake,” I growl deep in my throat, but can’t find the energy to get angry at his ribbing.
“Dale!” The entire group greets my partner, who’s clearly made it to the second floor.
“I’m teasing.”
“I’m not in the teasing mood,” I mutter and snuggle Grace to my chest, inhaling baby shampoo, lotion, and Grace. And just like that, all my anxiety vanishes in an instant as I kiss the top of her head. I don’t even mind that I’m not wearing the dress that meshed perfectly with their outfits.
“I’m sorry.” Jake wrinkles his nose, lifts his hand as if he’s going to rake it through his hair, and jerks his arm back down to his side.
“It’s fine.” I shake my head as my gaze travels around the waiting area. “What’s everyone doing here?”
Jake lifts his shoulder. “When we found out you were going to be late, Iris and I called in reinforcements. Not that Judge Keller would hold it against you that you’re late, but we wanted a backup plan just in case.”
I arch an eyebrow as Iris pats Dale on the upper arm and grins at him. “What were you going to do? Block her entry to the courtroom?”
“Nah….” He laughs, making my heart skip a beat. “They were going to be personal references. We figured by the time everyone got done singing your praises, you’d be here.”
Tears fill my eyes. “That’s….” I swallow over the lump in my throat. “That’s just too much.”
“Babe.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me to his chest. “Nothing is ever too much for you. You’ve given so much to everyone else, this was their chance to repay you.”
I lay my head against his shoulder. “But it wasn’t needed. As of thirty minutes ago, Judge Keller still had two more cases in another courtroom before shifting to ours. She doesn’t even know that you were late.”
“Thank God.” Grace mimics me with her head against my polo shirt. “I should’ve changed.”
“Never.” Jake winks and then eyes me up and down. “There’s nothing sexier than you in BDUs.”
“I know, right?” I pull back and grin. “I told you these pants would be so much better than those old polyester ones. The second I saw you at the park that day in cargo pants, I was so jealous.”
“Of my pants?”
Across the room, Bella grabs Ruby’s shoulder and whispers something to her. They never said a word about being here, but I couldn’t be happier that they’re here with me. Even if they can’t go into the courtroom with us.
