A Little Too Late

Chapter 2

"It's only one drink Jess," Nicole chuckled. "It's not a date."

"Fuck that," Jessica jumped out of her seat, "it is. You finally said yes to him. Girl, come on we have to get you ready."

"No," Nicole chuckled, "no, no nope. Stop Jess, it's just a drink. You are not getting me all dolled up. I'm not staying out all night, I have court in the morning."

"Fine," Jess pouted, "But when you do see him again, will you please let me doll you up?"

"Fine," Nicole sighed giving in, "But not now. I'm going to go get a drink then head home. I have to get up super early and prepare. I need to go over my notes since I'm not doing it now like I should be."

"Nicole," Nicole turned to see Erica standing there. "You never go out, go, it will be good for you. You need to do this to help you move on. Just go and have some fun, then let me know when you get home so I know you are safe, okay?"

"Okay Momma," Nicole nodded. "I'll see you later."

"Wait," Jess said. "Take the bun down and here's some lip gloss." Nicole huffed but put some lip gloss on and took down her bun, letting her hair hit her waist. "Now, take your over shirt off."

"Jess!" Nicole protested. "No."

"Yes," Jess gave her a look and Nicole huffed then pulled her large shirt off revealing a black spaghetti strap shirt tucked into her jeans. "Perfect, casual, alright. Text me EVERYTHING. Have fun."

"I hate you," Nicole chuckled as she hugged her. "I'll text you later." She turned to face the men, internally chuckling at the angry and determined looks on their faces. "Nice seeing you gentlemen again, try and stay awhile this time and visit your family before you disappear again. They actually do miss you." She waved to Erica and Jessica then left.

Erica turned to the boys and chuckled, "Do NOT even think about it."

"Why would we?" The man in all black asked, "She's Jessica's friend."

"Exactly," Erica smirked. "She's your little sister's best friend, North."

"It's none of our business Momma," The redheaded man shrugged. "We could care less."

"Okay Nathan."

Nicole entered the courthouse the following morning and was shocked to see Owen Blackbourne and Dakota Lee standing in the hall. They stopped talking and looked at her making her freeze in her spot.

"Ready?" She broke eye contact with them and turned her face to see Ethan standing there with a smirk on his face. She nodded and locked everything down forcing herself into professional mode as he placed his hand on her lower back. She removed it and walked in front of him entering the court room.

After the hearing, she gathered all her notes and case files then put them in her bag and turned to leave. She slightly jumped when she saw Owen and Dakota standing there watching her. "Congratulations on winning your case, Miss Cattell."

"Thank you, Mr. Blackbourne," She said zipping her bag and placing it over her shoulder. "Excuse me." She walked passed them and entered the hallway.

"Hey Nikki," Ethan said placing his arm around her shoulders. "Let's go celebrate."

"No thank you," She shook her head and as she stepped out of his grasp. She could feel eyes watching her and internally rolled her eyes having a pretty good guess who they belonged to. "I have court again later today I must go prepare for. Excuse me."

"Oh come on, send someone as a replacement," He chuckled. "You deserve to go celebrate."

"It is not professional," She shook her head. She felt their presence come closer so she sighed, "but maybe after all my cases if it isn't too late, I will go celebrate."

"That's the spirit," Ethan chuckled. "Call me when you are done Nikki."

"Very well," She nodded as he walked off putting his arm around another female lawyer. She took her phone out of the bag and powered it on. She powered it back off after checking all the notifications and dropped it in her bag.

"Miss Cattwell?" A female came up to her and she turned to address her. "I have some questions about your case at 11:30."

"Yes?" She asked walking with the assistant who opened a file folder, completely ignoring the two men that were watching her intently. "No, we need to make sure that is entered for evidence. It helps secure his intent for motive," Nicole said shaking her head. "We need to make sure this is also entered for evidence as well."