Page 81 of Dirty Judge
“Are you okay?” I ran my hand along the back zipper. Then I smoothed the fabric and watched her skin tinge pink.
“I’m fine.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Good.” I gently held her against my side, leading her inside the bookstore.
“Welcome to the VIP signing!” A woman greeted us at the door. “Are you registered?”
“Yes.” I nodded, grabbing the blue gift box that was meant for Olivia. “Thank you.”
I led her to the main floor, where we had VIP seats, right at the center of the stage.
“Can I take this thing off now?” she asked, smiling. “I don’t think I can take any more of the suspense.”
“I guess it’s time.” I slid my hand through her hair and gently untied it, letting the thick cloth fall to the floor.
She gasped as she looked around the room. “A signing? For which author?”
I looked up at the stage and realized they hadn’t unveiled the banner yet.
“It’s the one in the box.” I handed it to her. “It’s a special edition.”
She ran her fingers along the wrapping.
“I know it’s fiction, but I figured it might come in handy if you ever decided to pursue law school again.”
“Can I open it?” she asked.
“Of course.”
She beamed, tearing away at the paper.
The back of the book appeared first.
She furrowed her brow, and her excitement visibly faded.
As the last shred fell away to reveal one of the best legal thrillers ever written, she tossed it to the floor.
Her face drained of color.
Then she glared at the book.
What the…
“I’m assuming you already have it,” I said, picking it up, “butTheLegal Beastis the ultimate classic, so?—”
“Please take me home.” She suddenly stood up, her voice cracking. “It could even be your place since it’s closer, but…Get me the hell out of here.Now.”
She slapped the book out of my hand and stormed out of the theater.
She didn’t say a word to me the entire ride home.
She just cried.
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT (N.)
A WRITTEN OR SPOKEN DECLARATION THAT LETS CRIME VICTIMS OR THEIR FAMILIES DESCRIBE THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL HARM THEY SUFFERED
OLIVIA
