Page 44 of Power Plays & Proposals

I mulled over his words, each syllable a lifeline of hope that I wanted to cling to. "You're pretty smart, Lou," I acknowledged, a glimmer of gratitude in my eyes.

His response was a humble shrug, his grin belying his modesty. "That's what my mamma says."

A playful retort slipped from my lips, a feeble attempt to mask the vulnerability I was feeling. "Yeah, well, maybe don't let it go to your head."

He shrugged once more, his grin unyielding. "Too late for that."

"Think you could give me a ride to the courthouse?"

"I was hoping you'd ask." He lifted up a pair of keys.

Smiling I told him. "Give me twenty minutes to get ready."

In that time I swapped my shirt and jeans for my favorite yellow sweater and navy skirt. Grateful I was having a good hair day, I fussed with it just enough to make sure I wouldn't have a case of flat or frizzy hair when I saw Nate. My makeup was already done in a more natural look since I had planned on going to the bakery. I slipped on a pair of matching navy heels and picked up my purse from where I'd left it on the kitchen table. The only jewelry I wore was the ring Nate gave me.

Just before I left the apartment I saw that there was still a brownie left in the pan on the counter. Maria had made me a batch every day, and I was feeling a little sick of them. I grabbed a napkin and put the brownie on it for Lou.

"Don't tell Maria."

He took the treat from me like it was the holy grail. I chuckled as I locked up the apartment behind me.

Nate was talking to his lawyer as I stepped into the courtroom. His lawyer was in a gray suit with a darker gray tie. Nate was in a dark navy blue suit with a matching tie. I caught a peek of gold cuff links when Nate picked up a glass of water and took a drink. I didn't want to distract them so I slipped onto a bench near the back.

I looked around for Penelope, and saw her sitting on a bench near the front. Nate called her name and she looked up and smiled at him. She got up and walked to him. She was adorable in a long-sleeved lilac dress and black flats. Her hair was left long and loose and hung down her back. Nate gave her a quick hug and a kiss on top of her head. It was when he looked up, that he saw me. He froze, and Penelope looked to see what he was staring at. I gave her a little wave, but she looked away.

Erin strutted into the room with her phone in her hand. She was wearing a creamy-white, cable knit turtleneck dress with a black belt that made her waist look amazing. Her heels clicked as she confidently took her seat next to her lawyer. Nate frowned and said something to his lawyer.

"Well, that was interesting." Lou slid onto the bench next to me.

"Parking?" I asked.

He shook his head, but before he could tell me more, people stood and the judge entered. The hearing started, and there was a lot of back and forth between Erin’s and Nate's lawyers. I watched Penelope and saw her shoulders hunch. I didn't know how many times she'd been through this, and I hated that she was being put through it again. If I would had picked a spot closer to her I would have reached over to hold her hand. Erin glanced back, saw me, and then whispered something to her lawyer.

The judge, a man with greying hair and a thick mustache, looked at the things they presented. His facial expressions didn't give any indications of what he was thinking.

Erin's lawyer presented the evidence that Nate had Penelope when it wasn't his time with her. Date-stamped photos from the press at Charlie's, and at the hockey games were provided. Nate's lawyer provided the texts between Erin and Nate to show that Erin asked Nate to take Penelope for several of the dates.

The evidence of Penelope's injury was presented, and I was relieved when I heard Nate's attorney point to the CPS report saying that no one was at fault for the accident. Furthermore, CPS found Nate to be providing a safe and loving home environment. Erin looked back at me, and then at the closed courtroom doors. Nate's lawyer brought up that Erin intended to move and take Penelope with her.

Erin smiled, and her lawyer asked to present a video clip.

On the screen for everyone to see, was a video of Nate and me in the hospital lobby. We were talking, and you could clearly hear me saying it was my fault. Erin must have recorded it.

The lawyers argued about it, and I heard steps from the hallway and excited voices. The doors to the courtroom opened, and a stampede of reporters rushed inside just as the video continued to play.

I couldn't stop the video, and I froze in absolute horror as I watched myself tell Nate that he should dump me. I knew what was coming next, and I looked at Erin. She was absolutely beaming when the words left my mouth in the video. The truth that my engagement to Nate was fake.

The courtroom was in complete pandemonium. Nate had rushed to pick up Penelope and protect her from pushy reporters wanting the juiciest scoop. Lou was standing and blocking people from getting at me. The judge was ordering the reporters out, and Erin was posing and playing the perfect victim.

After the reporters were gone, the judge gave a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Your honor," Nate's lawyer began.

The judge held up a hand. "Let's take a brief recess. We'll reconvene in fifteen minutes."

Erin left the courtroom as soon as she could, no doubt to capitalize on the attention.

"Will you be okay if I step out?" Lou asked me.

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