𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐛.𝐛)

Professional

"Riley!" James yells while I walk through their front door. The mound of snow outside the modern class home was tremendous, the possibility of a snow storm is pretty high tonight so I brought some clothes just in case I have to stay over. 

Not that I want too. 

That would be very unprofessional. 

And James and I have a strictly professional relationship.

"Let go Dad!" Riley yells, trying to leap out of her fathers arms. He breaks her free and she runs to my legs. I drop all that's in my hands and I pick her up and hug her close. She was giggling of excitement while James pants like he just ran a mile.

I set Riley down on the wood floors before following her into the kitchen with my things. "I just saw you last night Riley." I admit.

"Yeah but I missed you!" She says while struggling into the barstool. I sit next to her while James finishes whatever he's making at the stove. 

Riley continued to give me a step by step "summary" of the new My Little Pony episode. I listened to her ramble and laugh before James told her to go to the living room and eat her lunch. He finally sat down. 

"You look tired." I say. He chuckles before rubbing his forehead. 

"Thank Kara. You look great too." I laugh before thanking him. "I finished my testimony last night. Then Riley had a nightmare and wouldn't go back to sleep till 4 in the morning." He says while getting up abruptly to the coffee pot. "Want some?" He asks and I nod. 

"Yeah I would. Sorry to hear about Riley. I could only imagine how it would feel to take care of her all by yourself." I say before he hands me a coffee mug full of some of the best smelling coffee ever. 

"Don't feel bad. Part of being a single parent." He huffs before sitting next to me. Riley squeals behind us but we assume it for the show, so we don't bother checking. 

I send him a smile before taking a sip. Not only did it smell like the best coffee, but it tastes it too.

"That is some of the best coffee I've ever tasted James." I say before taking another sip. It was scorching hot but I didn't even mind.

"Thanks Kara." He says before taking a sip too. "My mom is coming to pick Riley up in about an hour so we can talk about the case without being on our toes." He mentions while letting the coffee run down his throat. 

"Oh okay." I say before turning to Riley who is aggressively watching a race between all the ponies. "Does she miss you and Rachel being together?" I ask, letting my eyes trail from Riley to James. He look to her too. 

"Sometimes. She was confused at first. Why Rachel and I got divorced to begin with." He admits. I wasn't asking for the case, but to get to know him more without asking what his favorite flavor of ice cream is.

"We tried to avoid arguing in front of her." James continues. "She's a great mom, when she isn't high or drunk." I look down at my coffee. 

The doorbell rang and Riley stayed put, but looked to her Dad. He excused himself and I made my way to Riley. She then asked to be picked up, so I locked her on my hip. An older woman, who I assume is James' mother walks through the door. Her hair was a musty grey color. Not exactly, not exactly chestnut. Her eyes were brown, sank low. Her brows were almost non-existent. She kept her purse close to her tall, skinny frame. She didn't look a day over 40. Which is surprising since James is 35. She hugged her son before he welcomed her inside. I could feel Riley turn into me more, causing me to step back a little. 

"Hi Ry!" She elates. She looks to me confused and I put a smile on. 

"Oh! I'm Kara, James' lawyer." I say while sticking my free hand out to the woman. She reluctantly takes it and looks to her son. She lets go and I clear my throat and begin setting Riley down. 

"I'm James mother." She says before opening her arms up for a hug with Riley. But she stays put. I chuckle before walking over to James, giving her no hiding room to greet her grandmother. She follows me. James kneels down behind me. So now me and James offended mother are staring at each other. 

I get the impression she isn't a big fan of me. 

Eventually, Riley reluctantly walks over to her grandma and sits in her arms. She plants kisses on her granddaughters face before Riley asks to be set down. She runs back between James and I. 

"Are you ready to go see Grandpa?" The mystery woman asks Riley. She looks to James and he explains everything.

"You have to go to Grandma's for a little bit Ry." He says. She pouts and leans her back into my knee. 

"But Kara just got here!" She says. I laugh before looking to James. I ask him with my eyes if I could try and convince her. He gives me the green light. 

I kneel next to Riley, turning her around and rubbing her arm for comfort. 

"You gotta go to Grandma's Ry. She really misses you and I'm sure Grandpa does too. Plus, you'll see me all week! Daddy and I just have to take a little bit and talk about Mommy." She pouts and I lean in. "If you go with Grandma, I'll watch My Little Pony with you tomorrow." I whisper. She gasps and turns to her Grandma in total excitement. 

"There ya go." I whisper to James after standing back up. He laughs while shaking his head before waving off his daughter and Mom. He shuts the front door and it gets quiet. 

Really quiet.

"Okay." I say before walking back to the kitchen, grabbing my things and taking them to the living room. He follows me to the couch and we sit on opposite sides. "You said you did finish your testimony?" I ask while pulling my laptop out. He nods before pulling his phone out. 

Over the next 5 hours, we go over all of the logistics of court. What you should and shouldn't say. revising his testimony and adding to it. Talking about what Riley should say.  All down to what color he should wear.

"Wait. Your telling me wearing red makes you seem more guilty?" He asks with his head cocking to the side. 

I laugh at him, since this is my 3rd time repeating it. "Yeah."

He shakes his head, with a mind-blown face expression. I shut my laptop before getting up to stretch. He does the same before checking his phone. His Mom was calling him. 

"Hey." He says after answering. I pack up my stuff and walk over to the back wall, observing another wall of photos filled with Riley. "Hi Baby! How's Grandma and Grandpa's?" He asks more enthusiastically. I look behind me, receiving a quick smile. 

"Yes Ry, she is still here." He laughs. I walk back to him and smile "Okay we will see you tomorrow?" He confirms. "Okay Ry, love you!" He exclaims before ending the call. He shoves the little box back in his trousers before walking to the kitchen. I follow. 

"Rylie is staying at her house tonight. Apparently she is 'too tired to watch My Little Pony'" He says with air quotes while quoting her. I roll my eyes at her over dramatics. 

"She must be pretty tired then." I say before looking to my feet. I cross my arms and notice the time. It's almost 6:30 and the sun was setting. "Hey." I ask, getting James attention. "Are you hungry? I know this place no too far from here." 

"Are you asking me out Franks?" I roll my eyes before laughing and going a shade darker. 

"James I swear to-" 

"I know, I know! I'm messing with you. I could eat." he says while walking to his front door to grab his coat. I grab mine off the island stool and follow him out of the house. 

"Good cause I'm starving." I confirm. He walks us to his car and I walk around to the other side. The cold leather seats get warmer and he begins to start the car. 

"Just to be clear, this isn't a date?" He asks again. 

"James Barnes." 

"Just checking."