Hard Hit by Toni Aleo (IceCats #3) - Toni Aleo Page 0,50

says, and I suddenly catch a vibe that she isn’t here to talk about my trip.

I glance up at her through my lashes. “Everything okay?”

She nods, sitting down in the chair in front of my desk and crossing her legs. She’s wearing a little jumpsuit outfit, looking like she belongs in a hip-hop video. “Sure, I’m having some issues with the Litman case, though.”

I perk my brow, not meeting her gaze. “What’s going on?”

She clears her throat. “The baby momma didn’t show up for court, and according to her lawyer, she doesn’t plan on showing up at all. Even after offering to pay her way back from Europe, she is adamant about not coming back. I haven’t told Mr. Litman yet, and I’m stressing over it because basically, we’re going to set court dates for the hell of it, money wasted and everything.”

Fuck, that sucks. Kirby is going to be pissed. “Have you tried asking if she’ll just give up custody?”

“Yeah, I even sent the papers over, but she said she will sign when she gets a chance.”

I shake my head. “Well, isn’t she a piece of work.”

“That’s the nice way of putting it. I know we can win, but I have a feeling this might be drawn-out.”

I look over at her after putting my files and laptop in my work bag. “Are you preserving all the communication between you and her lawyer?”

Willa nods, and I can tell by the look on her face she is over this case. Some cases just take the joy out of you. Especially custody battles with a deadbeat parent. “I am.”

“Bring them and show them to the judge at the next court date. Present everything he has and motion for custody right there.”

“I am worried since she’s the mom, they’ll push for her to be present.”

“But if she won’t show up, what can be done?”

“I’ll try, but usually with mothers, it’s different.”

I shrug. “Yeah, because you don’t have mothers like this chick, who just abandon their child. With drug abuse, they want the parent to get help. But when it’s straight-up abandonment or neglect, a judge can’t turn their back on that. Especially with such a great father who just wants to protect his daughter.”

“Mr. Litman is a great dad, isn’t he?” she asks, and I can’t contain the grin that covers my lips.

“He is. A very good man.”

Silence fills my office, and I try so hard not to look at her, but I do, and I instantly regret it. Willa’s eyes are suspicious and intrusive as she says, “I saw you two kiss the other day.”

I look away, feeling not the least bit guilty but caught red-handed. I forgot that she could have seen that. I was hoping she had been in court or something. I direct my gaze to hers. “Okay?”

“Okay,” she repeats, her eyes hooded in a very judgmental way. “I have to say, I think that’s a very bad idea.”

I raise a brow. “That can be your opinion, but honestly, it’s none of your business.”

“You do realize he is in the middle of a custody battle and doesn’t need any distractions.”

“I am well aware of his situation, and he is too. What we are doing is our business.”

“I feel as though you are compromising my case.”

What the hell is she talking about? I look at her in complete confusion.

“And I take offense since you’re supposed to be not only my colleague, but my friend.”

“That’s not the situation at all. What I do outside of this office is my business.”

“True, when it’s not my client,” she insists. “He doesn’t need to be distracted. And then I’m worried he’s using you—”

I scoff at her claim, which makes her glare. “He is not using me.”

“He wants to keep his child, and it looks better if there is a female presence.”

“He doesn’t need anyone or anything to prove he is a wonderful dad. He is dating me because he wants to be with me.”

She shakes her head slowly. “So, you are dating?”

“Again, I feel like a broken record here, but it’s none of your business.”

“I feel like I need to go to Feliciana about this.”

I scrunch up my face. “You’re going to our boss because I am dating your client?”

“Yes. It’s against policy.”

“No. It’s against policy to date a client you are representing. I don’t represent him—you do.”

“But you counsel me, and I don’t need anything jeopardizing my case.”

Now, I’m getting pissed. “I counsel you because you are my friend. And may I remind