Page 11 of Soaring Free
“When Jack Callahan personally reaches out, you take the call. I also received a call from Daphne, who happens to represent Jack’s company with their European legal issues out of their New York offices.” Daphne Cromwell was Pippa’s roommate throughout college and they have been best friends ever since their freshman year. The British expat has been a good friend to Pippa, and our similar upbringings and family history allow them the somewhat rare opportunity to just be real with one another.
People assume that if you grow up in a family with significant wealth that you shouldn’t have any problems, but money does not buy happiness. The number of tales of people manipulating and lying to get close to someone with money I have heard from family members and experienced in my own life would be impossible to count. It’s hard to know when someone wants to be in your life because of who you are, or just because of whatyou have and what you can do for them. See case in point: Gigi’s birth mother.
“How is ol’ Daphne?”
“She’s wonderful, and I’m telling her you called her old.” The most beautiful melodic sound tap dances into the room as Savannah laughs at Pippa’s comment. My head snaps to see her entire face light up and I’m completely spellbound. Holy shit, I thought she was beautiful before, but her laughter has now become one of my favorite sounds in the entire world.
Is she a witch? A goddess? What the hell is going on?
What was I saying?
What’s my name again?
“Theo? Are you alright?” Pippa sounds concerned, but telling by her shit-eating grin, she knows what’s going on and is loving every second of it.
“Yes, of course. And please don’t tell Daphne that. She’s a bit terrifying,” I admit to Savannah, who laughs again in response. The warmth expanding in my chest at the realization that I made her laugh? This woman could be dangerous, but what a way to go.
“Yes, my bestie can absolutely be terrifying, but she’s also a tigress in court, so when she called in a favor to take this meeting, who was I to say no? I was honestly incredibly intrigued, I must admit. Although…” My sister steeples her hands and taps her fingers together. “It would be fun for her to come to Tennessee for the case, so if we need to convince her, just say the word Savannah and we can have an entire army of lawyers at your disposal.”
Savannah smiles, but it’s not the big genuine smile she had on her face when she was laughing. This smile is smaller and lacking the sparkle from just moments ago. “I would probably need to clear that with Jack, since he is footing the bill currently.”
What?
Alarm bells sound in my head as my head tilts in confusion. Why would Savannah need her brother to pay her legal fees? Shane is a well-respected, and I also assumed, wealthy-enoughattorney. I know the neighborhood they live in and their girls go to the same private school as Gigi. They have money; he may not be Smith-Harrington rich, but to be fair, few people have that level of wealth. I mentally search through any tidbits about him that could justify her statement, but he’s always been pretty timid in any gossip over the years.
Boring. He’s always been boring.
“Am I overstepping to ask why that is?” I gently ask, but seriously, what the hell is going on?
“Maybe we should sign some paperwork before we get into all of that,” Pippa interrupts. She’s not wrong, but I don’t care what it takes, I want our firm to represent Savannah in her divorce proceedings. I’ll waive the fee myself if necessary, or hell, I’ll pay it personally. Shane has had karma coming for him for a long time, and I will gladly fund any and all retribution to serve it up on a platter to the asshole. Just call me Karma Delivery.
I’ve felt like that about him for years, but seeing the sadness in Savannah’s eyes as she nods in agreement with my sister lights a fire in my gut. She is radiant, regardless of who she’s divorcing. But when her sparkle just dimmed right in front of us as the reality of why we are here sinks in? That coward has done something to hurt this queen sitting at our table.
And that is completely, and utterly unacceptable.
“If you’re comfortable hiring Smith and Harrington as your legal representation in your divorce, I assure you, I will do everything in my power to take the very best care of you and get you exactly what you deserve from this difficult situation,” Pippa calmly states.
“Yes, I think that’s the right move and I’m comfortable moving forward with you representing me.” She directs the statement to Pippa and I can’t fight the massive grin that spreads across my face.
“Jack already gave my assistant the necessary banking information for securing the retainer in case you decided to move forward with us, as well as any other financial needs throughout the process. It’s a simple form and then we can move forward,and I have a few … creative ideas of what that could look like, depending on the level of response you want to fire back.”
“Do you have a pen?” Savannah nods at Pippa before signing the agreement in front of her. She sets the pen down on the table and seems to sit a little taller. “I’m ready to light up his world like the Fourth of July.”
Chapter eight
Vivian
Let me know when you’re done and I’ll meet you at Java Jive.
Ryan
The class would appreciate an update, ma’am.
Me
Just got done, it went well, and don’t ma’am me. I’m barely older than you. Viv, I’ll meet you there in fifteen.
Jack
