Legal Briefs

“Get in the shower and warm up. I’m going to wait in here with you if it’s okay. I want to give Adam a chance to talk to Braden alone.”

“About this federal case?” I asked, stripping out of my soggy dress and tattered stockings.

“So that Braden can give him some support. I’m sure this was very hard for him.”

“Did someone chase him into a dark courtyard in the freezing rain?”

“Someone chased his girlfriend into one, and he wasn’t there to protect her.”

“It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t there. How could he have known I would be stalked in a library? It’s not a real hotbed of criminal activity, you know?”

“That’s not the point, Lil. That helpless feeling really hits guys hard. They want to be able to do something when we’re in danger.”

“He’s a lawyer. What could he have done against some creep in OJ gloves? Subpoenaed him, cross-examined him?”

“The male brain is not always logical or practical. If you remember, I got stuck in that situation in lock-up just before Braden and I got married. He was hardly willing to be out of physical contact with me for at least twenty-four hours afterward. I thought he was going to cuff me to him. He waited outside the bathroom door when I peed.”

I thought about that as I hopped in the shower. Actually, I had no problem with the idea of Adam holding onto me for a day or so, as long as he wanted to do it in bed. The cuffs could be kind of fun. Gab and I talked through the curtain, and I filled her in on some of the details about that weekend.

“So, how was the sex?” she asked.

“Gabrielle, I just did the fifty yard dash barefoot through a hurricane in the dark. Maybe this isn’t the best time for a girl talk.”

“I think that now is the perfect time. So, can Adam do anything with that mouth besides piss people off?”

“Are you going to tell me about Braden’s mouth?” I asked, working some shampoo into my hair.

“I’m happy to report that my husband’s oral skills are not limited to advocacy, and he’s a very generous man. Your turn.”

“Well, Adam is orally gifted as well, and let’s just say, he’s a giver. Are you happy?”

“I’ll bet you are,” she teased. “And how about everything else? Is he good at giving you a ride, and does he get you where you need to go?”

“Yes, and more than once, for the first time ever. He’s got amazing stamina.”

“Braden does too. I wonder if they have some kind of secret.”

“Yeah, I think it’s called practice,” I joked.

“Well, according to my insider information, Adam hadn’t gone out to a club in a month when he saw you that night. Apparently, that was a record for him.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing for him we ran into each other, although he would have gotten quicker relief from his busty blonde friend.”

“It’s a good thing you mentioned to me where you were going that night.” Her words took a moment to sink in.

“What do you mean?” I pulled the shower curtain aside, stuck my head out, and cocked an eyebrow at her suspiciously.

“I may have mentioned to him that if he were going to K2 that night, and he ran into you and Bruce, he should say ‘hi’ for me.”

“And did you manage to work in that Bruce was g*y?” I asked, cynically.

“I may have,” she answered with an innocent smile.

“So, you were playing matchmaker,” I said, shaking my head.

I smiled back and popped back under the water to rinse my soapy hair and think about that some more. After a quick layer of conditioner, I finished up, got out and wrapped myself in the big fluffy towel she offered.

“There’s a hair dryer under the sink. I’m going to go back out with the guys while you get dressed. We ordered Italian food and it should be here soon.”

“Thanks, Gabrielle. I really appreciate it.” And I wasn’t just talking about the fettuccini.

She turned and I slipped on the new bra and panties, tags still attached. I unwrapped the towel from my head and dried my crazy, wavy hair and put it up in a ponytail, checking myself out in the mirror quickly. I didn’t see some haunted stalking victim staring back, but rather a strong woman who was thankful to know that there really were people who cared about her. Slipping on the yoga pants, sweatshirt, socks and sneakers she had also left, I went in to join everyone else in the living room. I realized when I got there that I was also thankful that they’d ordered food. Suddenly, I really was hungry.

Braden and Gabrielle sat close together on a loveseat, with their tiny dog lounging contentedly on their laps. Adam sat slumped on its mate across from them. He looked up when I came in and I could see by the bruised look under his eyes how weary he was. The adrenaline had obviously left his system. There was a buzz and Braden got up and set Bruno down on the floor. The food had arrived.

“Baby, why don’t we go down and get it? We’ll be right back,” Braden said, heading for the door. Gab got up and followed and I went over to sit next to Adam. We stared at each other silently for a moment.

“So, Roth, you know I’m going to expect you to have your own toothbrush,” I said, giving him a very serious look. Slowly, a smile spread across his face.

Over dinner Braden and Gab helped me put a plan together. I would just spend the night at Adam’s place and go to work with him the next day. We would take care of everything else over the weekend. After we ate, we cleaned up and Adam and I got ready to go. Before we left, Gab brought me a suit bag and tote bag with more clothes.

“Here’s something to wear to court tomorrow and a few other things,” she said, handing it to me. I peeked inside the tote and saw something familiar on top.

“Those are your cow jammies, Gab. You can’t lend me those. They’re special.”

“Take them, Lily,” she said solemnly.

“I can’t take them.”

“Yes, you can,” Braden broke in. “In fact, keep them as long as you want.”

“Hang on,” Adam chimed in dubiously, “cow jammies?”

“Pink flannel cow jammies,” Braden clarified, giving Adam a speaking glance.

“You don’t need cow jammies,” Adam said, looking kind of worried.

“They’re comforting,” Gab said indignantly.

“I’ll comfort her,” Adam shot back. “And I can do it better if she’s naked.”