Page 111 of After the Vows

“Not interested.” Lucas smiles down at me. “I have all I need in my arms.”

“Pardon me?” Mom screeches.

“I got this.” Sophia grasps her hand and starts to drag her away. “I’ve been waiting forever to give Chloe’s mother a piece of my mind.”

I sigh. I don’t want to speak to my mom but I can’t let my friends handle this. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Sophia halts. “No, you won’t. You’ve dealt with this bitch long enough.”

Mom tries to pull out of Sophia’s hold. “I’m not a bitch.”

Nova snorts. “Even I think you’re a bitch.”

“Let’s go.” Sophia hauls Mom away.

“No physical violence,” Lucas hollers after her.

“We’ll make certain,” Nova says as she hurries after Sophia with Maya and Paisley on her heels.

“Ahem.” Judge Clara clears her throat.

I pull away from Lucas but he wraps an arm around me to keep me close. “I’m sorry, Judge Clara. I should have insisted Holly leave the establishment. You shouldn’t have been forced to witness the whole scene.”

“Judge Clara?” Lucas asks. “This is the judge for our custody case?” I nod and he smiles before offering her a hand. “My wife told me about you.”

“The sports day incident?” She frowns. “Will no one forget I threw a bedpan at my parents at the hospital?”

“I didn’t tell him that part,” I say.

Her cheeks darken. “Ah, well. Someone was bound to eventually.”

“What can we do for you, your honor?” Lucas asks.

“I shouldn’t be speaking to you about the case,” she begins. “But between the three of us, I wouldn’t worry about your fake marriage thing. It’s clear you love each other.”

“How could I not love this woman?” Lucas smiles down at me. “My wife is easy to love.”

I snort. “Not really but this big guy is easy to love. Especially in this uniform.”

Judge Clara rakes her gaze over Lucas. “I understand the attraction.” Attorney Ezra motions her over to their table. “I must be going. I’ll see you in court.”

“Thank you for speaking to us,” I say before she can leave.

“I can’t remember what we spoke about.” She winks before walking away.

Weston enters the bar and waves to Lucas. “I need to go. Are you sure you’re okay?”

I push him away. “I’m fine. No, I’m more than fine. The judge is on our side and your ex is cuffed in the back of a police vehicle. Christmas came early this year.”

“You’re crazy, wildcat.”

I push up on my toes to kiss him. “Love you, too, hubby. Get to work. I’ll see you at home tonight.”

I watch him leave with a smile on my face. I’m the luckiest woman alive. The man I love, loves me back and his ex-wife is no longer a problem.

I should plan a celebration. Just as soon as I take care of my mother.

Chapter 36

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