Page 39 of Soaring Free
“I feel like that could also potentially put a massive amount of gasoline on the fire, couldn’t it?”
“It could. But I also know you want to do what’s best for your girls. So for now, it doesn’t feel like you think that’s a necessary step so we can table it, but I want you to know that option is available, and I would be able to file a same day emergency hearing if you needed it.” I nod as she continues.
“As for the tactical weapon we launched after our meeting last week, I’ve heard that it did indeed take off, but it may be a few more days before it hits the necessary target.” Pippa looks smug with herself, but I’m confused as to how gossip could possibly help my case.
“And all of that means … what exactly?”
“It’s common knowledge that the majority owners of Brown, Lewis, and Williams really do not like their firm to have personal legal drama that could reflect poorly on the entire firm; an opinion that is especially true in the eyes of the named managing partner over there. While Shane is in white collar crime, their firm handles a lot of family law. So, when I saw the gossip queen of their office walk into the bathroom ahead of us, I thought I would take a chance. I suspect we’ll hear more about that little bomb in the coming days as the managing partner of the firm has been out of the country on a family vacation.” Pippa taps away and pulls something up on her tablet. “Now, on to the unfortunate reason for this meeting, which might change your tune about not causing drama.” Pippa huffs as she slides her tablet over for me to look at whatever is on the screen. “Brown, Lewis, and Williams sent over another settlement offer and once again, the lump sum decreased, this time by twenty percent.”
What?! I sit up ramrod straight at that news. “Are you kidding me? Why do they even keep offering these settlements if they’re going to be insulting? I am not settling for that low of a number!” I once again discover a new level of being pissed at my ex. “He is who he is professionally because of the doors that I opened for him through our personal family connections. The only reason he has an empire at all is because I was his queen, and he seems to have overlooked that very important fact. I would be a fool to accept this joke of an offer.”
“I know, and quite honestly, I don’t think they expect you to accept them. I think this is all a tactic they are trying to use to leverage some sort of response or reaction from you, whether inside the courtroom or out of it. But as your attorney, I have a legal obligation to show you this offer and ask how you wish to respond.”
“Is ‘fuck no’ too straight forward? Yes? Okay, let’s respond with the loudest possible hell to the no answer. Is that an option?” I ask, pushing the tablet back to Pippa.
“Oh, it’s definitely an option. I assumed that would be your answer so I went ahead and drafted a letter informing them that their insulting settlement offer is not only officially rejected, but the court should consider it an unnecessary stall tactic in hopes of derailing the court’s proceedings. After I file that with the court as documentation in the case, that should get some sort of response from them because I’m basically telling the judge that they’re wasting the court’s time.”
“I think that sounds like a good plan. Would that be possible to happen before our upcoming court date next week?” I ask. And if so, how long until I can expect to see Shane throw another tantrum?
“Oh honey, it’s going to be delivered to their office and submitted to the court by noon today.”
Sounds like I’ll get to see that tantrum sooner than later.
Theo didn’t finish at court before I was done meeting with Pippa, so I decide to stop at Java Jive and get another coffee. I don’t typically drink multiple lattes in a day, but with everything going on, typical behavior is on hold until I can get some damn typical sleep. When I walk into Java Jive, the elusive barista Cami is at the counter, and I decide to win her over and make her like me. I don’t know why she doesn’t, but it bugs me for some reason.
“Good morning, Cami. How’s it going today?” I put my friendliest smile on and try to sound like I didn’t just come from a meeting where my ex was able to once again piss me off to no end.
“Hey, Savannah, right?” I nod. “It’s going well. We were busy a bit ago but just had a little lull so that’s always nice when we get to catch our breath. What can I get for you?” She smiles, but I still feel like she’s being cautious around me. What did I do to this girl? Does she think I smell bador something?
“Can I get a medium iced vanilla latte, please? Oh, and sugar-free syrup if you have it, I know it’s not always in stock.”
“We actually just got a fresh batch of our sugar-free syrups this morning so you’re in luck. Can I get you anything else?” Maybe an explanation of why you don’t like me?
“No, I think that’s good for now.” I pull my phone out and tap to pay with it. I type in a generous tip, just in case I maybe forgot to tip her once or something.
“Sounds great. If you’re staying, I can run it out to you when it’s ready,” Cami responds with a smile.
“You know what, that sounds great. I’ll just be over there.” I point to one of the tables next to the large windows.
“It will be out in a second. Thank you!” And in a flash, Cami runs away again. I huff in frustration. I usually don’t care if people don’t like me, but for some reason, this bugs me. She brings my drink out shortly after I sit down and disappears again like a thief in the night.
I take care of some emails I needed to respond to, order a backup of the favorite socks to prevent a repeat of this morning, and place an order for groceries at the membership warehouse in the next town. I’m glad Forrest Falls doesn’t have the population to support big stores like that, but I’m also grateful we’re only about twenty minutes away from a larger city without having to drive all the way into Nashville. I get lost in my phone until my ears perk up at hearing my name. But before I turn around, I realize they weren’t calling out to me, but whoever said my name did so because they were talking about me.
“No one was surprised when he left her. I mean, it’s like he looked for more work to stay at the office rather than go home,” one woman says. “Shane is a great attorney, but anyone that spends any time with him knows he’s not a family guy that wants to go to your barbecues with her minivan driving friends.” She snorts in laughter at her own comment.
The other woman cackles and I resist the urge to whip around and set them ablaze with my glare. “Seriously though, is her vagina magic? Savannah not only held on to Shane for waylonger than I ever thought she would, but then she’s single for all of five seconds before she is seen having lunch with one of the most eligible bachelors in the entire damn state? Theo Smith-Harrington is an absolute fox and can have his pick of any woman, hell, I’m married and I’d let him pick me.”
Her friend giggles at her statement before responding, “Well, and let’s be honest, I’m all about being a girl’s girl, but is that really what someone like Theo wants? I don’t know, maybe they’re just friends or something. She doesn’t look like what I thought he would date, even casually. I would have assumed he would rather be with someone that doesn’t have so much baggage and isn’t so high maintenance and dramatic. So maybe she really does have a magic vagina, makes it easier for Theo to overlook her extra … well, would we call it baby weight still when the youngest is in school full time? I know the proper term is plus size, but let’s be honest, it’s fat. She’s fat.”
That’s it, enough of this bullshit. I take a deep breath and decide before I turn around that my response is going to depend on who they are and if I know them. I stand up from the table, put my shoulders back, and hold my head high as I loudly scoot in my chair. The sound causes both women to turn and drop their mouths in shock to see me standing there. I don’t know the cackling woman, but the snorting one is the receptionists at Shane’s firm that I knew never liked me. I purse my lips as I tap my foot and tilt my head taking them in.
And I’ll admit, I pause for dramatic effect because now that I see who it is, there is no way I’m walking away without saying something. Also, I feel like I should give the people what they want, and if they think I’m dramatic, who am I to disappoint them?
That’s not really my style, after all.
“It’s ironic that either of you calls yourselves a girl’s girl, because it’s quite clear neither of you are grown ass women. I hope you never have to deal with a contentious divorce or face little people making little comments to make themselves feel better about their own small and insignificantlives. And you know, I can’t speak to the magic of my anatomy, but I can speak to the decency of my conscience, which is a lot more than I can say for either of you.” I have to bite my tongue before I declare they fuck off, but I only hold it back because I’m a lady and we are in public.
“Savannah, oh my goodness, we didn’t see you! I’m so sorry, you must have misunderstood what we said, I would never—” I raise my hand to stop the rude receptionist right there.
