Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
“Then I’m coming to court with you today as well,” Lauren says. “I have time today. I want you well-insulated.”
“Good,” I say. “I’d like to have you there.” I look at Royce. “I really want to get to court and watch my husband work his magic, please.”
He nods and we head to the elevator. By the time we enter the lobby, he’s gotten a call. “Debbie agreed to a meeting,” he says. “Reid’s meeting her at his office.”
“If I know my brother, this could end today,” I say, as we cross the lobby. “Any idea who the father of her baby is?”
“No obvious candidate at this point,” he says, ushering us out to his SUV.
I’m just settling into the backseat when my cellphone rings. I dig it from my purse to find Reid’s number. “Cat,” he says urgently. “Are you okay?”
He sounds genuinely concerned in a way I’d forgotten Reid capable of being concerned. “Royce is taking good care of me. I don’t want Reece to know about this until after court is adjourned today. Promise me you won’t tell him.”
“I’m not going to tell him,” he says. “I’m going to end this. I got this and you. Understand?”
“I believe you,” I say. “Thank you, Reid.”
He’s silent a beat before he says, “Whatever was between us, I was always protecting you. I’m going to protect you now.” He hangs up and before I can even begin to deal with the knot of emotion in my chest, my phone rings again, this time with Reese’s number.
“Reese?” I answer, surprised he called. “How are you calling me?”
“We got into court and the prosecution called for an immediate fifteen-minute recess.”
“Waiting on a witness?”
“That’s what they said. A medical examiner. What did the doctor say?”
“I have a prescription for anti-nausea medication I need to fill. I want to get to court before I miss something.”
“I can fill it for you,” Lauren says and leans forward to talk to Royce who’s behind the wheel of the car and pulling us into traffic. “Drop me at the pharmacy by the courthouse.”
“Lauren’s going to get my meds,” I say, mouthing, “thank you” to her.
“But what did the doctor say?” he presses. “Is this something serious?”
“Serious?” I ask, glancing at Lauren who gives me a big grin and mouths “yes,” before I continue with Reese by adding, “More like lingering,” I reply to Reese. “It could take a while for the nausea to pass.” I quickly change the subject because I’m not going to lie to Reese. That’s not who we are and talking in circles is becoming uncomfortable. “How’s Dana?”
“She spent the night simmering. She’s angry this morning about being in this position. She said she read your column this morning and it just drove home how much she needs to fight back.”
“Is that good or bad? I’d say good but you’re the one in the heat of battle.”
“It’s good, Cat. I’m glad you wrote it. I gotta go. I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Yes. See you at lunch.”
His voice softens, “About that birthday surprise.”
“I’m not telling you what it is,” I say, smiling.
“I’m telling you that it can’t be ruined. Nothing ruins us. I love you, sweetheart.” He disconnects and I sigh, that smile lingering on my lips.
I glance at Lauren and she smiles. “I don’t know what he said,” she says. “But I’m glad he said it.”
“Me, too,” I whisper. “Me, too.” I grab my MacBook from my briefcase I’d left in the SUV when we were in the doctor’s office. “I want to write in my baby journal for Reese. There’s so much about this morning I want Reese to know.”
Lauren squeezes my arm. “Do that. Focus on him, not Debbie.”
“I am,” I say, but mentally I’m prepared to do whatever I have to do to end this. I want to just go public, I do, but that could hurt the firm. “But really, what power does she have?” I ask.
“What does that mean?” Lauren asks.
I grab my phone and dial Reid. He answers on the first ring. “She’s here. What do I need to know?”
“I just want to make sure you know where I stand on Debbie,” I say. “If she goes public, if Reese and Cole agree, I’ll embrace it and turn it into columns and a book with a big payout, probably a million dollars, that I’ll invest right back into the firm to offset the damage. Use that to strip her power.”
“Did Reese and Cole agree to this?”
“No, and this doesn’t mean I’ll do it. It just means I could. Use it. Take her power.”
“We’ll see. Call me at recess. We both know if you get up and call me Reese will know and be distracted.”
“Yes. It would, but waiting is going to kill me. Can you just text me everything you can?”