Page 71 of The Sexy Part
“But the holidays are coming up. It might not be the best time to move, you know?”
Hope sneaks in. “Sure. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year.”
“I asked Mackenzie and Harper if I could stay through the end of November since I’m going to your family’s Thanksgiving. They said I can stay as long as I like.”
I take her hand. “Sounds like you found your place here.”
“I’m comfortable, but am I giving up bigger opportunities in the city?”
“Are you happy?”
She considers that and then smiles. “I am.” She laughs. “If you had told me six weeks ago that I’d be happy living in a small town, working for a wedding planner, and dating a guy who works at a place called Happy Endings, I would’ve thought you were nuts.”
I kiss her palm. “So we’re dating now? Moving beyond friends with benefits?”
“I think we both know we’ve moved beyond.”
“How can you tell?”
She leans close to whisper, “Because I miss you when I can’t be with you.”
“That’s a good reason.” I kiss her. “Me too.”
* * *
Rowan
I sit on the bench outside the courtroom, reviewing what I’m going to say. I feel good about my chances in there. I found a picture of Mom wearing the jewelry, and I have a receipt for my laptop and noise-cancelling headphones. I’m not sure the value of the jewelry, but a pearl necklace and diamond earrings have to be worth something. Dad bought them for her as Christmas gifts. He had the money to get something nice.
I hear my name. It’s my turn to go into the courtroom. Nerves skitter through me as I walk in and take a seat near the front, waiting to be called before the judge. Only a handful of people are in here. I guess they hear several cases in a day.
The door bursts open in the back of the courtroom. A man in a navy suit strides down the aisle like he owns the place. He’s in his fifties, salt-and-pepper hair.Dad? What’s he doing here?
He nods to the judge and sits next to me, leaning close to whisper, “I’m here to represent you.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your friend Cooper Campbell called me.”
I clench my teeth. All the time I’ve spent with Cooper and he didn’t think to mention he called my dad behind my back? I told him Dad and I aren’t on good terms. How could he do this?
He probably thought he’d rescue me once again. Well, guess what? I was down before, but I got back up. Dammit. I let my feelings for him cloud my judgment. I got comfortable in town with him, with his family.
I can’t believe he did this!
Then, to my further shock, Dave walks in, dressed casually. I was sure he wouldn’t show and drag this case out further. He lifts a hand in a small wave toward me. I face front.
A guy on the other side of the row is called to state his case.
Dad pulls a folder from his briefcase. “This is the first time I’ve done pro bono work.”
I keep my voice low, but inside I’m seething. “Pro bono? So I’m a charity case.”
“Semantics.”
“I don’t need your help. They told me I can represent myself. That guy is.” I gesture toward the guy up front.
Dad doesn’t bother to reply. He never was much of a talker unless it was for work.
