Page 150 of Faking the Pass
Wrapping an arm around my back, Presley dipped his head to see my downturned face.
“You okay? What did he say to you?”
His protectiveness melted my heart.
But now it was my turn to protect him.
Chapter 36
I Still Do
Presley
Rosie shook her head, clearly not wanting to discuss Randy.
I was sure the little worm had been taunting her, and she probably didn’t want us to start our day in court with me pounding him into the marble floors.
“Let’s just get to the courtroom,” she said. “It’s about to start.”
Something foreboding stirred in my gut. Rosie wasn’t acting right.
She’d been subdued since we’d returned from New York and found the summons in the mail, but this was different.
Though we walked together hand-in-hand, she wouldn’t meet my gaze directly.
I couldn’t wait until this court thing was over, and she never had to see Randy Rump again. It couldn’t happen soon enough—the next week or two was bound to be rough.
Hopefully it would wrap up fast and he’d go back to California and his baby mama as soon as possible.
Then Rosie and I could go back to our life together in peace.
We walked to the front of the room where I took a seat in the first row behind the plaintiff’s table, in case Rosie wanted to turn around and say anything to me. She took a seat in a chair at the table next to her lawyer and his associate.
Once we were all inside and seated, the judge entered the room from a door behind the judge’s bench.
She was a distinguished looking woman in her sixties and she made a point of smiling in the direction of both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s tables as she said, “Good morning.”
The greeting was echoed back to her.
Since both Rosie and Randy had waived their rights to a trial by jury, the judge alone would be hearing the evidence and deciding the facts of this case.
Nodding toward Randy’s table, she said, “I was given a note that the plaintiff would like to address the court before we begin today?”
“Yes your honor,” Randy said.
She motioned him forward with a hand. “You may approach the bench. Ms. James, would you like to join?”
“No thank you, your honor,” she said. “I’ll stay here.”
What was going on? Was Randy going to try to charm the judge and get some sort of special treatment?
It was possible such a huge movie star would get it anyway, just by being in the room. I hoped not, but the judge was human, too, and it was hard to be a human and not be swayed by celebrity.
Speaking in a clear voice that was a little too loud for the nearly empty space, Randy said, “Thank you, your honor.”
Then he turned his body so he was angled to address both her and Rosie’s legal team who were seated with her at the defendant’s table.
“I’ve decided to drop my suit. I’ve come to a private agreement with Ms. James.”
