Page 13 of Hooked on Mack
“Ha! Very funny.” I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. “Well, at least I wasn't fawning over the judge like some kind of lovesick teenager.” I put on my best imitation of Mack's voice, batting my eyelashes dramatically. “'Oh, Your Honor, I simply adore golf! Why, just last week, I made the most marvelous chip shot from the rough!'“
Mack doubled over in laughter, clutching his sides as he struggled to catch his breath. “Okay, okay, you got me,” he conceded, wiping tears from his cheeks. “I may have laid it on a bit thick with the golf talk.”
“Thick?” I snorted. “You practically smothered us all in golf anecdotes. And for the record, I still have no idea what a 'chip shot' is.”
“Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to win a case.” He grinned, raising his hands. “But let's not forget that you were the one who couldn't keep quiet long enough to even present your argument.”
“Because you kept interrupting me!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in exasperation. “I've never seen someone so determined to monopolize the conversation.”
“Guilty as charged,” Mack admitted, chuckling at our shared frustration. “But hey, at least we found some common ground, right? We both think the other person is unbearable.”
“Speak for yourself,” I smirked. “I'm a delight.”
“Of course you are.” He laughed, shaking his head.
We were so caught up in our moment of levity that neither of us noticed the door swing open until a bailiff cleared his throat loudly.
“Excuse me,” he said, his voice stern as he regarded us with a disapproving frown. “This is a courtroom, not a comedy club. I'm going to have to ask you both to leave.”
“Of course, sir,” Mack replied, struggling to suppress another laugh as we gathered our things. “Our apologies for any disturbance.”
The tension that had been coiled tightly within me seemed to dissipate as we walked down the hallway. Just moments ago, I was ready to tear Mack apart with my bare hands—and now, here we were, sharing a laugh like old friends.
“Thanks for… well, whatever that was,” I said, turning to face Mack. “I didn't expect to leave that courtroom in better spirits than when I entered it.”
“It's not every day you find a worthy opponent who can make you laugh.”
“Is that a compliment?” I teased, arching an eyebrow as I tried to decipher his expression. “I'm flattered.”
“Take it as you will.” He shrugged. “But don't get too comfortable. When we return to that courtroom, I won't be holding back.”
“Neither will I,” I retorted, my determination surging back to the forefront. “I'll be prepared for your antics—and I won't let you derail me again.”
“Bring it on,” he challenged. “I look forward to seeing what you've got up your sleeve. Until then.”
This was no time to be distracted by Mack's infuriating charm. I had a case to win. So I turned around and walked right out of the door without looking back.
9
Larissa
As I stepped into the elevator, I checked my phone for any messages. Just as I reached for the button to close the doors and whisk me away to my office, my phone buzzed with an incoming call.
“Ms. Montgomery,” a voice crackled on the other end. “I've uncovered something important. There are secret assets outside the country that you need to know about.”
“Wait, slow down,” I said, barely containing my surprise. This could change everything for our case. As the elevator doors shut, I somehow managed to keep my cool. “Let's discuss this further. I'll get back to you shortly.”
“Very well.”
My fingers danced across the screen of my phone, composing a quick text to Mack. If anyone could handle a discovery like this, it was him. Not to mention, we were both working to get our clients what they wanted.
“Urgent meeting needed. Coffee shop near the courthouse in thirty minutes?”
“See you there!” His response came quickly, accompanied by a smiley emoticon.
As I exited the elevator and entered the familiar chaos of my firm, my thoughts raced. With secret assets involved, this case could become even more complex. But at least I wouldn't be navigating these murky waters alone; Mack would be right there with me.
“Morning!” my assistant greeted me cheerfully as I passed her desk.
