Page 35 of Soaring Free
Pippa
Give my princess a hug! Did you tell her I did the same thing when I was in first grade… remember my pink cast? Let me know what the doctor says.
Pippa
And don’t worry, we both know I kick ass at my job, and if necessary, I can breathe fire, didn’t you hear?
Me
Good. Let the dragon loose with this one. Savannah is special and deserves protecting. I don’t want that asshat to make her feel small in any way.
Pippa
The only ones that will be cowering today will be the little men on the other side of the table. I’ve got this. I’ve got her. Take care of my niece.
Me
Let me know when it’s done?
Pippa
I’m sure you already said the same thing to her, but you don’t need to worry. I will ensure one of us contacts you as soon as it’s done, okay?
Me
Thank you. I know you’ve got her... just wish I could be there too.
Frustrated, I lean back against the wall, close my eyes, and run my hand up and down Gigi’s back as she leans into me. I like handling things, but right now, I’m forced to do the thing I hate the most—wait.
Chapter twenty-one
Walking into one of the conference rooms at Brown, Lewis, and Williams feels as comfortable as going to your archnemesis’ home for Christmas morning in nothing but your birthday suit.
This feels wrong for a multitude of reasons, and I can’t help but think of the last time I was in this room for the firm’s holiday open house for clients. Was that really only four months ago? I was one of them, but now I’m on the opposing side of things, despite having known most of the people that work here since this location opened eight years ago, and some I’ve known since back when Shane worked at the Nashville location. I passed one of the other named partners on the way in, and it was like I was a complete stranger. He may be able to act like I don’t exist, but I know how this firm works—and I know that he and the other managing partners are watching our case very closely. They hate any negative press about the firm, especially anything involving one of their attorneys and personal litigation.
Pippa gave me a pep talk before walking in, and I’m guessing she talked to her brother at some point, because she also reminded me that I am a queen.
I’m the queen. He is the court jester. He will not see me break.
Maybe if I keep repeating it to myself, I’ll shove all the self-doubt out of my own head. I know going into this that whatever settlement offer his team is going to present today is likely to piss me off, and judging by the smug look on Shane’s face, it might be to epic levels. I wish the separation was taking a physical toll on him, but he still looks well rested and happy.
Asshole.
He’s always been handsome and unfortunately continues to get better looking with each passing year. His slight scruff amplifies his dimples that I used to love to run my finger over, and his strong jaw is firmly set when I walk into the room. But his eyes. His hazel eyes may be the same shade as our daughter Lucy’s, but his eyes are filled with contempt that is all directed at me. The irony is that he is mad at me when he’s the one that blew up our life. He looks beyond me to see if anyone else is coming in and a full smile graces his face when he realizes Theo is not with me today.
Pippa squanders no time with pleasantries once everyone is seated at the table. “Gentlemen, despite the pomp and circumstance of Mr. Williams requiring multiple attorneys and a legal assistant for this meeting, I suggest we not waste any more time than I’m sure this will already be. What do you have for us today?” She’s seated to my left and I can’t help but glance at the empty chair to my right. I wish Theo would have been able to be here today, but I also can’t fault him for putting his daughter first. I can’t imagine Shane ever missing a meeting if one of our daughters needed to see a doctor, but he also has never had to worry about it because I always have it covered. If anything, Theo putting his daughter first over a work commitment makes me respect the man even more. He chose Gigi today and he chose correctly.
Shane sits between Kyle and Cooper on the other side of the table, with Jimmy on the end. While Shane was dismissive at my entrance, the rest of his team acknowledged me like decent humans. I’m guessing neither Kyle nor Jimmy told Shane about the flat tire incident because I’m sure I would’ve heard about it if Shane knew I’d gotten stuck. His vindictive side was always reserved for his job, but now it’s clear I’m fair game to seeing his ugly side.
Kyle clears his throat before starting. “Ms. Lawrence, Ms. Callahan-Williams. Thank you for coming to meet us today. My client is prepared to offer an updated settlement to hopefully bring these proceedings to a peaceful, fair, and amicableconclusion. My client has firmly believed that was the goal from the beginning and hopes that everyone can come to an agreement today.” Kyle is saying the right things, but Shane’s smirk is unapologetic. I highly doubt this meeting, let alone our divorce proceedings, are going to come to any kind of peaceful conclusion today.
“Well, let’s see, shall we?” Pippa reaches across the table with a perfectly manicured hand to open a folder Kyle slid toward her. She barely reads the first page before snapping the file shut and throwing it back on the table. She cocks her head as she taps her foot under the table. “Are you serious right now? Please tell me this is a joke and you did not call this meeting to offer absolute bullshit.” I want to see the offer but Pippa barely shakes her head no to me, so I keep my hands in my lap, and focus on my mantra for this meeting.
Shoulders back, head up, ice glare on.
“I’m entirely serious right now,” Shane chimes in, and before Kyle can interrupt him, he raises his hand to stop him yet again confirming that Shane isn’t letting a junior partner run the show. Kyle’s name may be on the documents but this is all Shane’s doing. “I think this is more than fair.” His eyes twinkle with malice as he raises a single eyebrow at me, and I can’t help it, I reach up and grab the folder to read what Pippa already saw.
An audible gasp fills the room as I snap my head back to my asshole ex. “What? Why would you ever think I would accept a settlement that’s what … forty percent less than your first garbage offer was? Are you out of your mind?” Kyle looks almost apologetic while Cooper and Jimmy both avoid my glare.
