Page 40 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"You know you have our support whatever you do," says Anne. "And with Emily? What do you plan to do?"
Leah sighs.
"Maybe you should go talk to her," suggests Natalie, seeing the doubt reflected in her daughter's expression.
"I don't think so," rebuts Anne. "If she canceled the lessons, there must be a reason. Maybe she needs her space, a little more time, or it could even be work-related, I don't know. In any case, I'm sure it wasn't pleasant for her to find out you have a girlfriend. It's obvious she likes you; she would have had expectations, would have gotten excited after that other kiss as any of us would have. Give her some space."
"I think I'll wait for the next lesson," says Leah. "If she cancels that one too, I'll figure out what to do."
"Of course," says Anne, leaning in to kiss her forehead.
"Hey," says Natalie with a narrowed gaze. "On a scale of one to ten, how much do you like Emily?"
"For God's sake, Natalie," exclaims Anne, but she can't help laughing when Leah lets out a laugh that echoes throughout the office.
"What? It's maternal curiosity," Natalie complains, frowning.
Leah leans forward and takes one hand from each of them.
"A twelve, mom," she whispers and winks at her, feeling her heart skip a beat when she acknowledges it out loud.
Chapter 20
For Mia Clark, it's one of those happy days where nothing around her matters because her brother is with her and they can share the entire weekend together. As usual, they hug tightly when they meet. Aaron has prepared a backpack separate from the one he usually takes to school, with a couple changes of clothes. They climb into Mia's car and head to Walker Elite Sport Club as they do every time the caddie gets to be with her brother. She knows how much Aaron enjoys being there, talking with Leah and how good the affection from Anna and Natalie is for him.
"Do you think I can play a match today?" Aaron asks enthusiastically when the barrier giving access to the club opens.
Mia looks at him for a few seconds and smiles. She adores her brother; she would do anything for him.
"We have time; I just don't know if Leah will be available."
"And if Leah can't, can't we play, you and me?" he asks again.
Mia shakes her head and turns the steering wheel to park the car.
"I have a meeting, remember?"
Aaron confirms with a nod, not very convinced, though he'll try to enjoy their time at the club. They walk along the stone path that leads to the side of the bar; that's where she's meeting Emma Harris, and Mia feels a jolt throughout her body thinking about the lawyer. There's something behind that smug look that Mia likes, something she believes Emma insists on hiding from the world.
"What a hottie," Aaron blurts out as soon as they enter the bar. The younger Harris lawyer smiles widely when she sees the siblings, stands up from the chair she's sitting in, and takes a couple of steps toward them.
Mia gives her brother a gentle elbow nudge. The boy is right, she doesn't doubt that, but she doesn't like him talking that way. Emma is dressed—as always—formally. She wears a suit, this time a light blue skirt and jacket with heels so high they make you dizzy. Her hair is pulled back, leaving her neck exposed, white, smooth, and Mia wishes in that moment she could be a fictional character so she could lean in and bite it.
"You must be Aaron," Emma says and extends her hand. The boy nods and does the same. "You look a lot like your sister."
That teenage boldness Aaron had when seeing her vanishes and turns to embarrassment. His cheeks flush red and he's unable to say a single word. He's at that point in his youth when girls start to attract him, though he doesn't feel confident enough to take a step forward. Besides, for him, Emma is a lady—an attractive one—but a lady.
Mia is surprised by the lawyer's warmth; she's been gentle and very kind to her brother. The complete opposite of how she usually is with her outside an office.
"Hey, kid," Aaron hears, and turns immediately upon recognizing the voice.
The boy embraces Leah while the tennis player whispers something in his ear.
"Leah invited me to play a match, can I go?" he asks, turning to his sister.
Mia instinctively looks at Emma. The meeting was, basically, for her to meet Aaron and she's not sure if letting him go at that moment is appropriate. The lawyer seems to guess the caddie's thoughts.
"While Aaron plays, we can review some points, Mia."
