Page 56 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"The lawyer and her client?"
"No. Emma and Mia," the attorney answers.
Mia nods and, finally, sits down in front of the black wooden desk that occupies much of the office. She relaxes a bit and realizes that the office smells like Emma, like her perfume, like her skin. She's lost, she knows it, because she made the mistake of kissing those full lips, feeling her tongue entwined with hers, and at that precise moment, her defenses crashed to the floor.
"Don't try to deceive the judge," Emma pulls her from her thoughts. "Be sincere, speak calmly, and answer everything she asks you."
"Do you know what she's going to ask me?"
"I've prepared a list of possible questions; the important thing is that you stay calm. You have nothing to hide, you've complied with everything they've asked of you, you have a good job, a home, you're free of crimes, and your behavior has been exemplary."
"That almost sounds like praise from you," Mia says, trying to ease the tension.
Emma locks onto her gaze and all she wants is to stand up and kiss her. Tell her that everything will be fine, that she'll be there to guide her and promise that she'll do everything, even the impossible, to ensure her brother is by her side, but once again, that cold marble she's covered with prevents her from approaching the girl she likes in that way. Even so, she smiles and winks at her in silent acknowledgment of what she said.
Chapter 29
"So, can we leave now?" asks Anne when Emily accompanies them out of the office, where Leah waits for them, having entered before them.
"Yes, that's all. Thank you so much for coming," Emily responds with one of her smiles, as radiant as it is sincere.
"Perfect. Will we see you at the club?" probes Natalie, unable to contain her curiosity.
"Yes, of course. I won't miss the next practice," Emily assures.
Natalie smiles, glancing sideways at Leah, whom she plans to interrogate as soon as they get in the car.
"Shall we go, Leah?" asks Anne, but Leah's eyes remain fixed on Emily's.
"One second, Mom," the tennis player requests and approaches Emily, takes her hand, and moves her away from her mothers before bringing her lips to the lawyer's ear. "Have lunch with me?"
Emily hadn't anticipated this proposal, but finds it impossible to refuse, especially with the trembling in her legs after feeling Leah's breath slide across her neck.
"Sure, but it'll have to be near the firm. I have to meet with a client in a couple of hours."
"No problem." Leah turns to her mothers with a satisfied expression, reaches into her pocket, pulls out the car keys, and hands them to Anne. "Go without me. I'm having lunch with Emily."
Natalie's eyes widen, and she opens her mouth, ready to interrogate her daughter in the middle of the hallway, but Anne moves faster and takes the car keys.
"Of course, honey. Will you take a taxi afterward?" Anne asks.
"Yes, I'll figure it out. Don't worry."
Leah and Emily walk them to the car, wait until they leave, and then head in the opposite direction toward one of the nearby restaurants Emily classifies as suitable for lunch during work hours.
"When we have more time, I'll take you to my favorite place, but for now, this will do," she says, approaching the door to open it.
"You mean like a date?" Leah smiles, narrowing her eyes.
Emily nearly falls when she goes to push the door and it opens from inside. She doesn't lose her balance because Leah, already accustomed to her clumsiness, moves quickly and grabs her by the arm before Emily collides with the person exiting.
"I'm sorry," says Emily, and upon looking up, she loses her breath seeing Vanessa Cooper in front of her.
"No, I'm sorry, Emily. I opened the door too abruptly," says Vanessa, passing by while also observing Leah. "See you around the courthouse."
"Yes, see you," says Emily with flushed cheeks.
Leah notices the lawyer's discomfort after crossing paths with the woman but decides not to comment until they're seated at their table.
