Page 102 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
By the time I fall asleep in their strong arms, I know I have found my truest peace.
“Every day,” Dominic says it again, his fingers lazily running through my hair. “Until the end of time.”
“Every day, baby,” I whisper, soft against his hard body.
Theo kisses my shoulder blade. “The nightmare is over, Phoebe. We can build our dream now.”
“Together,” August adds, one hand firmly cupping my bare buttock.
It’s going to be interesting. Beautiful. Scary. Exciting. Exhausting. It’s going to be a little bit of everything, but with these men by my side, I know we’ll weather any storm. We’ll build our love and our family on a strong foundation.
We’ll face it all together.
Every day.
33
PHOEBE
I’m the odd person in this picture, but the ongoing trial is far too intense and way too exciting for anyone’s curious gaze to linger on me for too long. I found myself a seat at the back of the courtroom—out of sight and close to the door—in case I need a clean break.
My heart feels heavy as I stare at the back of my mother’s head. She’s seated at a table with her lawyers, Mr. Harding among them. Crystal sits next to Mom, looking particularly faded and tired in the grey pantsuit she’s wearing. They’re going for a conservative look to soften whatever blow the judge is about to give them.
“Almost there,” Penny whispers beside me.
We snuck in together long after everyone else was seated to avoid any questions or requests for interviews from nosy reporters. Now, they’re all too busy filming and photographing the last part of a highly controversial trial.
The People vs. Helen and Crystal Baldwin.
“I hardly recognize her,” I tell Penny.
“Who, your mom?”
“Yes.”
Helen Baldwin is makeup free, her blonde hair pulled into a neat bun, her silk shirt fresh and white. Although Crystal cooperated with the authorities, she’s not entirely off the hook. At best, she’ll get a reduced sentence. It’s not looking good for them, and while I’m inclined to feel sorry for what they’re going through, they both had it coming. These are the consequences of their actions. I’ve made my peace with that.
“Alright, I’ve heard all the motions and testimonies and I’ve gone over all the evidence from both sides,” the judge, a burly man in his late sixties says. “Do the People or the defense wish to make any other statements?”
“Not at this time, Your Honor,” the District Attorney says.
“The defense rests, as well,” Mr. Harding replies.
“It’s not like they can sweeten the pot anymore,” Penny tells me. “There’s just too much evidence. I heard rumors from the DA’s office that the information Helen provided about the gambling ring wasn’t anywhere near as useful as they’d hoped.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“It shortens the prospect of a good deal, that’s for sure. Crystal, bless her heart, was smart enough to turn on Helen, securing herself a reduced sentence, most likely.”
They’re not even looking at each other, seated so their shoulders are angled away from one another, proving the strife andseparation between them. It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Mom assumed Crystal would join her on the sinking ship.
My phone vibrates. It’s a text from Dominic. Penny leans in to read it.
Guests are arriving.
“Great,” I mumble.
“Just a few more minutes, then we’re out,” Penny assures me. “Judge Isles doesn’t like to waste time. His docket is always full.”
