Page 95 of Who's Your Daddy
Yeah, not a damn thing could ruin this. Elated, I lift her in my arms and spin her. It’s a challenge, keeping her from smacking into the shelving in this bloody cupboard, but I’m filled to the brim with love and I’ve got to let it out somehow. We’re laughing and kissing and teasing when a shaft of light appears in the cupboard and widens, followed by the booming of Brian’s peevish voice through the tiny space. “What the hell are you doing?”
Scratch that, being scolded by this tosser definitely puts a damper on the moment.
I set Lola on the ground, though I don’t release her and I don’t look away. “Okay?” I ask again.
Because now that we’re in the literal light of day—under Brian’s very angry gaze—I need to know she’s good with what I’m about to do.
Lola doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
It takes all the restraint I have not to pull her into my arms and do another celebratory spin. As a consolation, I thread my fingers with hers and turn to Brian, grinning like a simpleton. “Lola and I are together.”
Jaw ticking, he lets out a long breath through his nose. “I don’t have time for this right now. Henderson didn’t show up at the airport with his son. Now Judge Sanders is demanding both sides meet in chambers to figure out why the man can’t, as her clerk says, ‘ever listen to a damn thing he’s ordered to do.’”
Lola takes a step back, frowning. “Why didn’t Craig bring Larson?”
Brian huffs an annoyed sigh. “He says if he did, then his ex wouldn’t bring him back. She’s been itching to move the kid to Michigan and Craig is convinced she’ll disappear with him.”
I frown. “She could do that?”
Outside of law school, I have little experience with custody issues. That’s Brian’s department. I’m the money guy.
But I’m listening now. I’m ready to research from sunrise until sunset. Because it’s only now occurred to me that a mother could just disappear with her son. That Murphy’s mom could come back and take him from me.
“That’s why the judge wants everyone in chambers. She wants to hear what her attorney has to say to that.”
“Okay,” I say, stealthily lacing my fingers with Lola’s again, “but why do you need me? This doesn’t feel like an orange suit situation.”
Brian growls, his hands balled into fists. “Obviously, not. Though if you want a shot at wooing the judge, I suggest you wipe the lipstick off your face.”
Smirking, I run my thumb along my lip. I’m certainly not wiping away the evidence of Lola’s kiss. “Why aren’t you dealing with this?”
“Because I’ve got to pick Craig up and get him and Larson to the airport and on a fucking plane.”
Makes sense, I suppose, now that I’m thinking about it. Again, this is out of my wheelhouse.
“So I have to go to court?”
“We don’t have associates to send, Cal, so yes, you have to go to court. Plus…” His focus drops to where I’m clutching Lola’s hand.
“Plus, it’s your Judge Espadrilles.” Lola’s simple statement has my smirk falling. “And she likes you.”
That stupid nickname and all my jokes slam into me like a punch to the gut.
Heart in my throat, I turn to face Lola head-on. “You know I was kidding when I said I take the judges out right?”
“I don’t care what you do,” Brian grumbles. “I need you to make sure Henderson doesn’t get locked up tonight. While you’re at it, ensure we have an order in place that requires the ex return the kid by end of week. Think you can handle that?”
Rankled, I straighten my jacket. “Of course I can.”
“Good.” He steps back and holds the door open for us.
Before Lola can scurry out of the cupboard, I tug her to my side. “But I won’t handle it until you apologize to Lola for being such a giant arse these past two weeks.”
“Cal,” she hisses, trying unsuccessfully to pull away.
Brian scoffs. “This is absurd. I simply reiterated company policy. Which you’ve both violated, by the way.”
Lola goes rigid beside me.
