Page 68 of Soup Sandwich
Me: I’m here. I just got sidetracked. Court this afternoon at 4?
C: Yes. Does that still work for you?
As his now live-in fiancée, I am going with him to show how awesome we are as a couple and how perfect and stable Katy’s home life is.
Me: It does.
C: You’re amazing. Thank you! See you in a few.
Me: See you in a few.
Here’s hoping this arrangement ends quickly and no one gets hurt.
20
For the last ten minutes, the judge has been sitting here reading through the petitions that both Willow’s parents and I submitted as well as the documentation from social services, the police, and the camp. Layla is sitting stoically beside me, twisting her ring around and around. Tom told me to sit still and appear confident, but I’m having a hell of a time doing that.
Behind me, sitting patiently and quietly, are my friends. I didn’t ask them to come. They just showed up, and I must move or make a noise or something because I feel a hand hit my shoulder.
Asher.
I’d know his monster grip anywhere.
He leans forward and whispers, “I think Willow’s parents’ attorney just farted.”
I bite into my lip to hide my smile and Layla coughs a small laugh under her breath. Asher is such a kid in so many ways and I love him for it especially right now.
“Good thing no one is sitting beside him then,” Grey quips, and I clear my throat, rubbing at my lips.
Layla casually leans back in her chair and angles her head in my direction. “He totally checked out my ass too. Do you want me to nail him and see if I can make this all go away?”
I smirk in her direction, relieved she’s looking at me. It’s the first time all day. “Would you, baby? That’s so sweet of you to offer.”
Asher makes an amused noise he’s trying desperately to cover and so do Zax, Grey, and even Lenox.
“Hey, helping is what I’m here for.”
I lean into her, my mouth by her ear so no one else can hear us. “Your blow jobs are very effective.”
Her breath catches, but before she can say anything else, the door to the courtroom opens, startling all of us and casting our reflexive gazes over our shoulders in its direction.
“I’ll be a son of a bitch,” Layla murmurs with an obvious smile in her voice, but I can’t drag myself away from what I’m seeing.
“Octavia?!” the judge practically gasps in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Octavia Abbot-Fritz, flanked by Stella and Amelia, comes to a halt in the center of the aisle, surprise lighting her elegant features. “Oh. Fredrick. How lovely to see you. I didn’t know you were presiding over this case.” Octavia’s manicured hand goes to her chest, her flawless designer pink suit that matches her nails is everything you’d expect it to be. I swear, the sun just beamed in through the windows as if any clouds outside parted in her presence. It’s as if Queen Elizabeth—before she died—just walked into the room.
Even Willow’s attorney is in shell-shocked awe.
“Y-yes,” the judge stutters only to clear his throat and right himself. “Lovely to see you too, as always. I have a tee time with Dr. Fritz tomorrow morning.”
She winks at him. “I know he’s looking forward to that. He rarely gets extra time these days to go out and play. I’ll have to call Leah and make plans for lunch. Maybe the four of us can dine together after you play?”
“I’m sure she’d love that.”
Zax pinches my shoulder in anis this really happeningway.
Octavia glances in our direction and gives me what I can only describe as an indulgent smile before turning back to the judge. “I apologize for interrupting. I meant to arrive earlier to support my granddaughter and Dr. Barrows, but traffic at this time of day can be so difficult to get through. I’ll just take my seat and let you get on with what you were doing.”