Law of Attraction

Chapter One

Avery arrived at the meeting place, a small coffee shop near the courthouse. She was anxious to see Harper Thomas, the woman who accused her ex-boyfriend, Brandon Davis, of hitting her with his car.

As Avery walked into the coffee shop, she spotted Harper sitting at a table in the corner, sipping a latte. Avery's heart sank as it always does when she sees the bandages around her face. Harper looked up and saw Avery, and for a moment, there was an awkward silence between them. She always wondered why Harper chose her as her attorney when she knew what Avery shared with her supposed perpetrator.

"Ms. Campbell, thanks for coming," Harper said finally, gesturing for Avery to take a seat across from her.

Avery sat down and took a deep breath. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Harper hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I wanted to apologize to you, Avery. Between everything that went down and with me asking you to represent me, I always seem to forget that you and Brandon used to date, and I never meant to cause any problems between you two."

Avery raised an eyebrow and spoke in a detached voice, "That's all well and good, Harper, but why did you call this meeting? The trial starts in a week, and I don't have time for small talk, especially about him, you shouldn't be thinking about him."

Avery's nerves were on edge as she could feel every second go by her during her meeting with Harper Thomas. Harper pulled back her hood a little, revealing more bandages. "But I wanted to talk about Brandon Davis," she said in a raspy voice.

Avery's heart sank. She had been hoping for something concrete, not more talk about her ex-boyfriend. "What more about him, Harper? Do you remember something critical to the case?"

"He did it, Avery. He ran me over on purpose. I know you don't believe me, but I swear it's the truth. Especially that ring, I can't ever forget about the shine of it as I lay there."

Avery sighed. This was going to be another one of those meetings. "Harper, we've been over this. Brandon doesn't wear a ring. But I don't want to believe anything right now, the evidence will tell everything to everyone."

"The evidence is wrong!" Harper interrupted. "He's got people in high places, Avery. He's been pulling strings to make it look like- I mean I know the truth, and I need you to help me prove it."

Avery shook her head. "I can't help you if there's no evidence, Harper. I'm sorry but I'll do what I can in the court. If Brandon actually did hit you then he'll be punished for that." Harper's eyes narrowed. "You're just like the rest of them, aren't you? Blind to the truth."

Avery stood up. "I'm sorry, Harper, but I have to go. I'll see you in court."

As Avery walked out of the cafe, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of doubt. What if Harper was telling the truth? What if Brandon really was guilty? She shook the thoughts from her head. She couldn't let her emotions get in the way of her job. She had a trial to win.

That next evening, Avery sat behind the wheel of her car, her fingers drumming against the steering wheel as she made her way to her parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. It had been years since she had seen her family, and even longer since she had seen Brandon, her ex-boyfriend. Though it had only been 6 months since she walked away from him, It felt like years have passed.

As she drove, memories of their time together came flooding back to her. She remembered the first time they met, at a mutual friend's party. He had been so charming, so confident, and she had been smitten from the moment she laid eyes on him. He hadn't even noticed her that night. That's what she thought until she saw people pointing to her and talking about her. She followed the chaos and saw Brandon looking at her like a man possessed. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her after that.