Page 22 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“Remember what I told you on the way into the courtroom. I’ll only refer to you if necessary.” I hope this new topic puts the other behind us. “If you need me to raise a point, write it on the tablet in front of you and pass it over to me. Judge Patricks has a reputation for being a protocol stickler and talking without his permission will annoy him.”
Lucas rolls his eyes, and I’m convinced we’ll be held in contempt of court at some point.
“I mean it, Mr. Matthews. We don’t need to wind up the judge.” I keep my voice low so as not to draw attention to us. “We want him on our side, and any shouting or interrupting will do the opposite.”
He waves a hand. “Fine, fine. I hear you.” He shifts in his seat and straightens his tie. “Looks like it’s showtime. The bastards from Zentello are here.”
My stomach churns as it always does at the start of a trial. I’ve never thrown up, but I’ve come close when I first started litigating. Now, I limit what I eat before appearing in court. I also normally don’t make eye contact with the opposition, but the scent of a familiar aftershave—one I haven’t smelled in more than a month—makes me look in the same direction as Lucas.
As Cliff Ranger struts in, far too confident for my liking, my heart drops. He’s chatting with someone walking slightly behind him, and when Cliff drops his head back and laughs loudly, I get the sinking feeling we are in trouble. Cliff Ranger is an ultimate professional, so his relaxed demeanor can only mean one thing—he knows he’s going to win.
I groan inwardly but keep a smile plastered to my face. I’ll still give him a fight. I’m not giving up on my promotion that easily. The man talking with Cliff comes into view, and I gasp.
Oh my God. This can’t be happening.
I blink in case my mind is manifesting him but nope. He’s here in the flesh.
Nathaniel.
My one-night stand.
His profile and his long, hard body are the same, even though today, he’s wearing a smart-looking navy suit that is definitely bespoke. My blood heats remembering him naked. I’ve dreamed about him so much since that night he’s been etched in my brain cells. But it’s not only that… “Shit.”
“What?” Lucas asks, leaning closer and cupping his ear.
“Nothing.” I try to think of something logical to say. “Just remembered I forgot to get my cousin a birthday present.”
Lucas frowns. “Are you sure you’re up for this job?”
Heat rushes up my neck, and I hope I can keep it from pooling on my cheeks. “Yes, Mr. Matthews, I assure you I am.”
He messes with his phone while my heart tries to thud its way out of my chest.
I dare a glance at Nathaniel, sitting on the far side of Cliff. They have their heads together and are chatting. He smiles at something Cliff says, and butterflies swarm my stomach, making me feel like a band geek in love with the captain of the football team. God, he’s gorgeous, and I didn’t think it was possible to miss someone I’d only been with for one night, but I did, and I have. I’ve thought about him a lot. Nathaniel, the sexy man who made me feel amazing, not like a loser whose asshole ex had cheated on and used for his own career advancement.
Something clicks in my brain. Nathaniel equals Nate. The nickname is what Lowe goes by in business, that being co-CEO of Zentello Pharmaceuticals, a multibillion-dollar company.
How the hell hadn’t I realized that?
In my defense, I only arrived in Seattle two weeks before meeting him at the bar, so I didn’t know all the business players in the town. I also don’t have a photographic memory. I often forget people I’ve already met, though I always remember a name. Of course, I was the idiot who didn’t want to discuss work. Besides, it wouldn’t have mattered that night. I hadn’t been assigned the case, so he and his company wouldn’t have been on my radar at all. Still, I’ve done a crap ton of research on the defendant.
How the hell did I miss that Nate Lowe is the same Nathaniel who gave me multiple orgasms, proving my parts still worked? Yes, I legitimately wondered if I was the problem after my relationship with Colton who never could give me a real orgasm.
More people enter the courtroom, and I force myself to face the bench.
That’s when the truth of my mistakes slams into me like a frozen salmon against the side of my head. At that moment, I realize how woefully unprepared I am. My research focused on Zentello and Orchid to put together a timeline. I didn’t do much with the people involved except for the lead scientists of the project. Okay, I didn’t do as much because I honestly didn’t think my client had a case and figured today would be the end.
Regret tightens my shoulder muscles. What was I thinking? That’s not me or how I work. With my previous cases, I became an expert on the industry and companies, but I also normally know exactly who I’m dealing with inside and out.
Where did I go wrong?
I look at Lucas and wonder if he’s right. Maybe I’m not the right person for this case. When I glance at Nathaniel, or should I say Nate, again I know how I screwed up. My head’s been filled with him since that night, and I dropped the ball regarding the personnel in this case. That will change after today because thankfully this is only the preliminary hearing. If Judge Patricks doesn’t dismiss the case, I can find out every single detail about the people who work at Zentello before the main trial begins.
As I consider what information I need to check first, Nathaniel turns his head toward me. He lurches back as if in shock. I know exactly how he feels, and it’s all I can do not to say something to him. At first, he pushes on the chair arms and acts like he’s going to stand, but then he remains seated. His gaze narrows on me, and his expression goes from shock to anger, the lines deepening around his mouth and his eyes darkening. I was right aboutthis man—he really doesn't have a poker face. He whispers something to Cliff, whose shoulders stiffen.
Fuck.
What is he saying to his lawyer? I’ve done nothing wrong, but I don’t want my reputation soiled.
