The Sun and the Moon [Wattys 2015 winner]

Chapter 6: Trial

Early Tuesday morning, I drove my car south from Santa Barbara to Ventura along the coast again, but this time with Jake, my coworker and boss, taking over the passenger seat. I was amazed that he asked me to drive.  I think he wanted to do research on his tablet while we were driving the half hour or so to the courthouse.  

The trunk of my car was stuffed with boxes of files, papers, and binders. Major butterflies hit above their weight class in my stomach, and I tried to ignore them. I also tried to clear my brain of all of the work-related anxiety I felt, as I drove and looked at the ocean and watched for pelicans.

We were headed to trial, finally.

Jake's tall, muscular body dominated my car's leather interior. I glanced at him and noticed that he was all spread out, long legs and body everywhere. Guys sometimes sat like they were invading conquerors.

Even though I didn't have a crush on Jake, I would say it: it was hard to be with him in close proximity and remain professional, because he was such a hot distraction. He smelled like a man and was wearing a pristine suit and tie, his blue eyes glinting, his hair tousled but sober. Such a sexy physicality. I told myself that there was nothing wrong with ogling. I was just appreciating the art, people.

Okay, so maybe I was lying about the whole "don't have a crush on Jake" thing. Still, he was no Sun God.

With an energy completely unwelcome this early in the morning, he chattered like a sexy, deep-voiced chipmunk about the trial the whole way, discussing witnesses and evidence. He lived for courtroom work. He wanted to be a statesman-like, Atticus Finch-type lawyer--at least before the second book was published and Atticus was reviled instead of revered.  But I digress.

I wondered if he could talk about anything else. Well, it wasn't like I needed to see him at home over a dinner table, so I guessed it didn't matter.

I struggled to listen to him, still early-morning sleep-deprived. I needed coffee or else I was contemplating serious bodily harm to Jake Slausen, gift to women's eyeballs everywhere. He was probably a gift to gay men too. To stop myself from plotting his destruction, I interrupted his discussion of the finer points of his opening statement.

"Jake, can we stop for coffee before we get there?"

"Sure, Amelia."

Of course a trip to get coffee would lead to an orbit around the Sun God--or at least a chance of being sucked into his gravitational pull.

I was ready.

Maybe.

I was dressed in full lawyer badass gear, not fucking around this time. I donned the blue pinstripes and my hair was in a chignon.

While I was physically put together, I needed to get my brain together for trial.

I pulled into the parking lot at Southwinds and Jake unfolded his long body from my Mercedes and entered with me, holding the door for me like a gentleman.

Again, it was busy in the coffee shop. Again, it smelled divine. Again, there was a long line. And again, Ryan was there.

This time I saw him immediately and I got in line, listening to Jake, who was standing very close to me so I could hear him over the din.

I grabbed a yogurt.

Jake did too.

Ryan lit up when he saw me, but his eyes narrowed when he saw Jake standing so close, leaning into me, and talking into my ear. When I got up to the counter, I learned that Ryan's effect on me was unchanged although I was hopeful that this time I would be able to formulate words and speak them aloud, resulting in an order of a latte without major embarrassment.  It appeared that my effect on Ryan was unchanged as well, judging by the way he leaned up against the counter. This could be interesting.