Page 122 of Winning Bid

“And trust her. If she’s as good as he says she is, do what she says to do.”

“Probably—"

“June. He trusts her. You should, too. Right?”

I sigh, unsure of what to say. How do I trust someone I don’t know? “I’ll try. Callie, I feel like I’m on the edge of something bad. Like one wrong step will ruin our lives forever.”

She doesn’t speak for a moment. “That’s because it could.”

Hearing that reality check is enough to send me spiraling again, and my eyes sting at the corners. “I’m not sure if that’s what I needed to hear.”

“Honey, I’m not going to lie to you. This is too big and important for fluffy best-friend nonsense. You deserve the cold, hard truth. Even if it’s ugly.”

I gulp down some of Cole’s water to wash away the knot in my throat. The trouble is, it doesn’t work. “Okay, tell me something good. I deserve some sugar with my medicine.”

“Anderson obviously loves you.”

“No shit. Something else.”

“Daniel popped the question.”

I want to react like a best friend should, but I can hardly muster the energy for it. “Congratulations!”

She covers the phone for a flash, but I hear a muffled, “Be there in a minute.” When she comes back, her tone falls apologetic. “June, I am so sorry, but?—"

“You need to go. It’s fine. Thank you for taking some time for me today.”

“Anytime. I mean it.”

“Thanks again, Callie.”

I make the call to Dana’s office, and to my surprise, she’s ready to see me now. Given how inconvenient that must be for her, I rush right over. Dana looks perfectly coifed, but upset. “I wish you two had told me everything when we met up before. I would be more prepared by now. You cannot keep hiding things from me, if you want my help.”

“Hindsight, I guess. What do you think of his chances?”

Her brow lifts. “It’s a murder trial, June. There’s really only two ways this goes, and one of them isn’t good.”

“I’m aware, Dana. What I mean is, do you think he’ll get off?”

“You’re a tax attorney, right?”

I nod.

“In criminal law, Anderson looks like every guy a jury hates but usually caves to. White, tall, handsome, rich. He’s well-known in the community, or rather, his family is. In most situations, all those factors confer privilege.”

I gulp. “Most?”

She taps her shining fingernail on her desk before she speaks. “In criminal trials, those things often work in someone’s favor, but in the past few years, juries have not been taking kindly to someone like him. You need to brace yourself for a negative outcome … ” She coaches me on what to wear and how to act. Then, Dana scrolls on her laptop. “If all goes well tomorrow, you may be taking him home for the time being. Bail will be high. The Wests being the Wests, everyone knows they could jump to a non-extradition country in no time.” She levels a look at me. “Do not run out on bail and make me look like a fool.”

“There’s no way in hell we’d do that.”

“Good.” She returns to her computer screen. “Our prosecutor is Tanner Walsh, and he’s an asshole. Don’t expect anything good of that man. He’s up for re-election, so he’ll be out for blood. But for now, let’s focus on the bail hearing.”

I don’t want to. But no one asked me what I want.

The next day in the courtroom, the courtroom itself is making me nervous. All wooden interior, big windows on one side, and packed full. Everyone wants to see a West on trial.

When Anderson is brought in, he’s in a suit. He sits next to me for a few minutes, and neither of us knows what to say, so we stay quiet. He looks as somber and tired as I feel, and I’m worried about what’s happened to him in jail. But if I ask, I’ll break down right here and now.

---