Page 74 of Forbidden Desire

“Not today. I have a meeting.”

“Not to worry. We will keep Josie company. Won’t we?” She starts talking in baby talk gibberish and I smile warmly at the two of them. This is the perfect place for her.

“See you later,” I say, giving Josie a wave goodbye.

The next three hours tick by like sluggish steps through mud. I keep checking the time, which is distracting me from my work. I’m supposed to have the layout for the next issue done by end of day, and I’ve barely made any progress on it. I keep thinking about the meeting with my lawyer. I’m trying to be hopeful, but I’m also scared to receive honest truths that I’m not sure I’m ready to face.

I sigh as I look at the articles spread out before me on my desk. I begin rearranging them, trying to find the perfect fit for each one and the right order to keep readers’ attention. It’s funny because I thought this was the job I wanted so badly, but a part of me misses working alongside Marco. Not just because the pay was significantly better, but because I had a say in what went on with the paper. He valued my opinion most of the time. Other times, he would call me stubborn, which I am. I had more time to write then too. Lately, with the new job, I spend most evenings trying to reach my word count, when all I want to do is sleep.

When I feel like I finally have the layout right, I pin the articles to my mockup board, finishing just in time for my lunch break. I grab my purse and head out to meet my lawyer at her office, which is just a few blocks away. I decide to walk, since the weather is starting to catch a break from the heat.

When I arrive, I’m pointed in the direction of her office by the front desk and take a seat in the waiting room. I rub my palms against the fabric of my pants, trying to wipe away the nervous sweat. My phone buzzes in my purse. I pull it out and see a text from Sadie:Good luck today! Thinking of you.

Me:Thank you! Waiting to go in now.

Sadie:Ask questions. Even the hard ones. You want to see this thing from all angles.

Me:Got it. Okay. I owe you for finding this lawyer.

Sadie:Don’t thank me until you’ve won.

Me:If it even gets there…

Sadie:I hope it won’t. If it does, we’re here for you and this lawyer is going to kick ass.

Me:I’ll call you later. ?

“Erica Gunner?” a voice calls. I look up from my phone and see a woman in a smart tan suit looking expectantly between the one other woman in here and me.

“Here!” I say, suddenly feeling foolish, like I’m answering to roll call. I stand up and walk over to the woman.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Gunner. I am April Goss. Your lawyer.”

I take her hand and shake it firmly. “So nice to meet you, Ms. Goss. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Follow me,” she says, gesturing to the hallway behind her.

Her stride is powerful. Swift. It takes effort to keep up with her. I can tell already she is a no-nonsense kind of woman, which is intimidating, but will be good for court. She leads me to her corner office with a peripheral view of Central Park. The place is smartly decorated with modern pieces of furniture and her various accolades framed on the walls. I take a seat across from her glossy black desk and take a deep breath.

“So, per our email, you are looking to fight for custody of your daughter. Is that right?” she asks, sitting back in her chair, her eyes grazing over our printed-out email communication.

“Yes, ma’am. Well, the father hasn’t exactly asked for custody…yet, at least. I just want to be prepared, in case he does.”

“And what role does he have in her life now?”

“He doesn’t have one.”

“And has he ever had a role in her life?”

“No, ma’am. He’s never met her.”

She looks at me curiously. “And is that by his choice?” She raises a perfectly penciled in brow.

“Um, no. Well, not necessarily,” I say meekly.

“Ms. Gunner. If I’m going to represent you, I’m going to need all the facts.”

I nod warily. “The truth is, I met a man at a party and got swept up in him and cheap champagne. We ended up going back to his place. One thing led to another, and well…you know…”

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