The Vigilante Damsel in Distress

Chapter 23

Through our hard work we helped the DA get the case moved to a judge we know isn't corrupt.  The DA used the argument that Judge McClean wouldn't be able to be impartial due to being friends with Judge Thomas.  Mrs. Thomas was getting a divorce from her husband and has their home on the market.  She has decided to retire from the scene much to her family's dismay.  They're an old family with ties to politics so they already had the next husband lined up for their daughter.  She put her foot down and settled into a new estate in Old Metairie leaving Orleans Parish behind.  Old Metairie is just on the on the New Orleans border so she's still close enough is she ever wants pop into her old scene.  We talk and have become good friends so I don't see her returning to the scene.  She does help me now with my business mostly in the form of handsome donations.  

It's been a couple months and things have settled into a good rhythm.  I've grown close with each guy with the exception of Kota.  My family is settled in and I'm talking to my Uncle often and have been building a good relationship with him.  He is wrapping up his business in Chicago and has plans to join us in the summer.  My grandparents are now living in their home that is being remodeled for their bed and breakfast.  Dr. Roberts has kept us updated on Bjorn's mom.  He lets us know her therapy is going well and she's a lot stronger than she thought.  She just recently joined an all bird team and is in a relationship with one of the birds on the team.  She's happy which helps me forgive myself.  My own therapist has done most of the work in helping me to forgive myself and to understand I'm not at fault for what my sperm donor did.

Christmas is approaching and I went all out with decorating for Bjorn's sake.  Daniel of course was a major part of the Christmas decorating as he takes his Uncle duties very serious.  Which means he remains Bjorn's favorite uncle.  

Now that Judge Thomas is pretty much taken care of we've taken aim at Judge McClean.  Right now we're in the beginning stages and looking into his background for anything suspicious.  That's where I was when Kota found me.  I was hacking with Victor and Corey looking into his background.

"Hi Sangrida.  Could we speak for a moment?" Kota asked as he shifted nervously.

"Sure Lee." I said with a curious tilt as I led him into the hall to see what he wanted.

"So I was hoping to take you on a date but I can understand if you aren't interested in me.  I misjudged you and called you a loose cannon.  You're anything but a loose cannon and I'm sorry.  I won't hold it against you if you're not interested in me for miscalculating my judgement of you." Kota said.

I giggled finding his nervousness adorable.  He stared nervously not knowing how to take my giggling.

"Of course I'll go on a date with you Lee.  After all if I judged you based off of one mistake and held it against you I'd be making the same mistake.  So what did you have in mind Lee?" I asked.

Kota released the breath he'd been holding and his stance relaxed.

"I was thinking tomorrow we could explore the best bookstores in New Orleans.  We'll start where we live uptown and end downtown.  I don't know that's fun to me.  Would it be fun to you?  It wouldn't be romantic would it?" Kota said looking down at his feet.

"Are you kidding?  Books are whatever you make it.  Books are our imagination.  We can make it romantic silly.  I think it's a perfect idea.  What time Lee?" I asked.

"Really?  How about 10 am?" Kota asked excitedly.

"Yes really.  10 am will work.  I'll see you tomorrow Lee." I said with a grin.

Kota leaned forward and kissed my cheek then left in an excited rush.  

The next day I dressed in leggings with a cute oversized tee that went to my knees and hung off one of my shoulders.  It was a super comfortable outfit perfect for curling up with books but also super cute.  I did my makeup to help play the outfit up with a winged eyeliner look and Taylor Swift red lips.  I'd taken Bjorn over to Axel earlier so he could spend the day with him at the Aquarium.  I skipped to my front door now that I was ready and opened it while stepping to the side as Kota fell in.  I knew he'd been standing leaning against my door ten minutes working up the courage to knock.  I giggled as I helped him up.