Page 57 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"Everything okay, Emily?" asks Leah without intending to pressure her.
The attorney slowly exhales until her lungs empty and adjusts her back against the chair. She could respond that yes, Vanessa is just a work colleague, but she doesn't want to lie to Leah either.
"Yes, everything's fine, but that woman, the one we just ran into at the door..."
"Yes," says Leah, encouraging her to continue.
"She's a lawyer, and also my ex," Emily finally admits.
"Mmm, I see," says Leah, "and she doesn't seem like just any ex."
Emily smiles and thanks the waiter when he hands them the menu.
"No, not just any ex. She's the one who broke my heart."
Leah grimaces and nods, thinking that if Emily had told her a few minutes earlier, perhaps—accidentally—she could have stuck her foot in front of Vanessa Cooper's ankle when they crossed paths and made her trip.
"Can I ask what she did to you?" says Leah. "Only if you feel like telling me, Emily. I'll understand if you don't want to talk about it."
"Do you want to hear it?" asks the lawyer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Yes, of course. I want to know everything about you."
Emily's heart races so suddenly that she feels as if her body has shifted slightly. She looks into Leah's eyes for a few seconds and realizes that therapy is definitely working because, before attending sessions with Dr. Mitchell, she's sure she would have told Leah she didn't want to talk about it, or that she couldn't. Now, however, she wants to tell her, to open up and let Leah know her most vulnerable parts.
"I've moved past it," says Emily while continuing to eat her meat in sauce as she explains the story to Leah, "but I can't help feeling anxious when I see her, especially if it's unexpected like before."
"I guess that's normal. She betrayed your trust, and no matter how much you forgive her, I imagine that's impossible to forget," comments Leah.
"Yes, I really didn't see it coming. Actually, it was a textbook mistake on my part. You should never reveal anything about your strategy to opposing counsel, much less information they could use against your client, but she was my girlfriend and I trusted her completely. It never even crossed my mind that she would do what she did," explains Emily, surprised by how easy it is to express her feelings to Leah.
"It must have been a tough blow," says the tennis player, extending her arm across the table.
Emily takes her hand and they intertwine their fingers, immediately smiling as they look at each other.
"It was," she says without letting go. "When I heard her speak in the middle of the courtroom, spilling everything I had told her after such an intimate moment, it felt like taking a bullet to the center of my chest. I couldn't forgive her, so at that moment, everything ended. I lost the case and I lost her too."
"I'm sorry," says Leah.
"Thank you," Emily smiles, "but I'm good now," she winks and Leah's pulse races.
The waiter arrives with the dessert menu, and they realize they're still holding hands across the table. Emily laughs again as she lets go, like an embarrassed teenager, but when Leah is about to ask if she wants to share a dessert or wants one for herself, Emily becomes transfixed watching the television.
Leah turns to see what's captivating the lawyer's attention and frowns, confused to see it's an advertisement for an amusement park.
"Do you like those places?" asks Leah when the commercial ends and Emily's attention returns.
"Almost as much as tennis," Emily laughs. "I used to go a lot, I mean during my student years, when I still had time to breathe. I love the rides, especially the fast ones, because I can scream like a maniac without anyone looking at me like I'm crazy."
Leah bursts into laughter and continues listening as Emily enthusiastically tells her about the many times she visited those types of parks and how long it's been since she's been to one, thinking she should find time to take her there, despite hating them herself.
Chapter 30
Emma curses under her breath for accepting Mia's proposition to meet somewhere private instead of a restaurant. The caddie insisted on meeting at her apartment; she wanted to be comfortable and able to talk without interruptions. Emma, who apparently always needs to have the last word, not only agreed but demanded they meet at her own place. Now, after showering, she observes with analytical eyes the two clothing items laid on her bed. Even though dinner is right here, she's incapable of putting on comfortable clothes and glances sidelong at the gray heels resting on the floor. She opts for the black dress; it's not too elegant, though it gives her the poise she needs for this occasion.
She makes a face when she puts on her shoes. She's been on twelve centimeters of leather and wood all day and feels like her feet might explode. She applies makeup carefully, straightens her hair, and pauses in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. Her reflection shows an impeccable woman with a carefully chosen outfit and shiny hair, but with the dull gaze she's been seeing for a long time. She presses her lips together and turns to head toward the living room. She's prepared the table meticulously washed linen tablecloths, silver cutlery, handmade scented candles, and countless details she couldn't overlook. Emma Harris surveys the living room, checking that everything is in place. The expensive couch is nicely complemented by comfortable cushions, the floor is perfectly waxed, and the soft lighting creates a sense of intimacy.
"Perfect," Emma murmurs while checking the time on her wristwatch.
