It's easy to fall in love, but hard to stay in love. Kate has a habit of falling hard and fast, but running away when it gets too serious. Then she meets smooth talker Ben and arrogant Sam. Her life becomes a constant battle between two men who make...
As per usual I was running late. Monday's were just the worst. If there was such a thing as a fear or dread of Monday, I definitely had it. Growing up, I was only "sick" on Mondays. Granted the majority of those "sick" days I used a hair dryer to make my forehead feel warm. I didn't learn until later on in high school that my mom knew exactly what I was doing. That's when I switched over to a heating pad. This Monday was no exception and while all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed, I had a court meeting at 9:00 AM.
I pulled into the parking garage and quickly slid my heels on. I was the worst at driving in heels. I checked my makeup in the rearview mirror and grabbed my briefcase out of the passenger seat. Here goes nothing.
I walked through the courtroom doors and straight to the desk where I saw Christine and Anderson, the two attorneys leading our firm in this case. It's not often you need two attorneys for a divorce trial, but this one was pretty rough. Not to mention we were representing the heiress to the Baxter fortune.
I took my seat next to Anderson and started handing him my notes from the weekend. He glanced through them with a smile slowly growing on his face.
"These are great, Kate. We may just take the guy down after all."
I smiled shyly at him. I hope he was right. This was my chance to prove my worth at the firm before the cutbacks start. I heard the door shut once again to the courtroom and I turned to see Abigail Baxter walking in. She was dressed in a form fitting tight dress, probably from Gucci causing me to feel insecure in my latest TJ Maxx find, and her long blonde hair was pulled tightly back in a sleek ponytail. My ponytails always looked like I just left the gym. I have always envied women who could pull it off for formal looks.
She approached the three of us and I watched as Christine and Anderson shook her hand. She looked over at me and I stumbled to my feet. She was holding out her hand to me.
"Miss Mills, I've been told that your work is going to help me in keeping what is rightfully mine as well as my daughter's. Is that so?"
"I'm certainly going to try." She smiled at me and we took our seats.
I poured myself a glass of water as the opposing counsel began to arrive. They laid out their laptops and folders while shaking hands with the people around them.
"Looks like their client doesn't know the meaning of being punctual." Christine scoffed while Abigail suppressed a laugh.
"Benji always did run on his own time. I bought him several watches and still, he was late to everything." I smiled politely at her and started skimming through my notes.
I was midway through swallowing my water when I heard it. I'd recognize that voice anywhere. I turned to see Ben shaking hands with the tall man in the blue suit. My eyes went wide in horror as I looked back down at my notes.
"Abigail LeeAnn Baxter vs. Benjamin Michael Winston"
This has to be a joke. He's married? Her Benji was my Ben. I started to panic and Anderson grabbed my hand.
"Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I, I need to excuse myself. Please?" He nodded and I walked to the doors at the back of the room. Before walking out I glanced back to be sure I wasn't imagining it. Ben was shaking hands with Christine but his gaze was glued on me. I shook my head and walked outside.
I was nervously pacing back and forth squeezing my cell phone in my hands. I managed to stop shaking long enough to text Julie.
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I sat down on the cold bench hoping to calm down enough to go back inside. Before I could gather my thoughts Ben walked over.
"Kate, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
"That you were married?" I shook my head looking at the ground. I was trying so hard to hold back the tears. "Ben, we can't talk right now. My job is on the line."
He looked at me, his lips pressed tight and then he turned to go back inside passing Anderson in the process.
"Everything okay?"
"Anderson, I know him. On a personal level. I need to remove myself from the case."
He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I can't let you do that. This case could jumpstart your career. I need you to put on your best poker face and let's go help our client."
I glanced up at him as tears started developing against my will. "You're right."
He held a hand out in front of me. "Our secret. Come on, superstar." A small smile formed on my face as he handed me a tissue. "You've got this."
I composed myself the best I could and walked in with my head held high. Ben slumped miserably in his chair as I walked over to Christine and Abigail.
"Stage fright. She's good to go." Anderson smiled brightly at me and I felt every bit of confidence coming back.
"Let's do this." I grabbed my notepad and began preparing for our first round of questions.
****
A few hours later, we dismissed for the day. I stood gathering my things waiting for Ben to leave. I couldn't risk him chasing after me. If Abigail knew my connection to her divorce, I'd be kicked off the team and in deep trouble with my boss.
"Great job today, Kate." Christine patted me on the back as she walked out with Abigail. Lucky for me, I was able to wait behind and not get bombarded by the press.
"She's right you know. Without your attention to detail we may have overlooked some of those old records." I could hear Anderson speaking, but my attention was on Ben. What was taking him so long to leave? "Kate, you still with me?"
"Huh? Yes, of course. Sorry, what were you saying?" I shook my thoughts away and looked at Anderson.
He chuckled. "I was saying you did great today. I mean given the circumstances." I smiled appreciatively and watched as Ben finally made his way through the exit door.
"Im sorry,Anderson. I really need to get going." I slid my laptop into my briefcase getting ready to leave.
"Sure, Kate. A word of advice though?" I looked up at him and nodded. "Don't let your relationship with Mr. Winston get in the way of your career. You've got a real shot at our firm and I'd hate to see you blow it."
"There's no need to be concerned. There's no relationship there." I looked down at the ground trying to conceal my hurt.
"Unfortunately we work in a world full of boundaries. See you tomorrow, Kate."
"Thanks for the pep talk earlier. See you tomorrow." I walked around him and made my way to the garage my car was parked in. Of course when I reached my car he was standing there leaned up against the driver's side door with his arms crossed.
"Kate, we need to talk." Ben reached out to grab my hand and I pulled away. My whole body tensed up.
"There is nothing to talk about, Ben. You are married. Plain and simple." I walked around to the passenger side to put my things in the front seat.
"Kate, please. I never meant to hurt you. I told you I wasn't looking for anything the night I met you. All I was looking for that night was myself. My marriage may just now be ending on paper, but it ended months ago." He kept trying to reach out to me and I carefully dodged each attempt.
"I don't care, Ben. The point is you are married on paper and in my line of business, what's on paper is what counts. Plus you are a client in the case I am working. I can't be seen with you. Please go."
"Fine." He stepped aside opening my car door for me. I glared at him as I sat down and reached for the door and slammed it shut. He threw his hands up in defeat and walked away.
Now I have to deal with Ben being married, yet also the same man my client is divorcing. This, this is why I hate Mondays.
