Page 51 of Trials of a One Night Stand
“Whatever,” she says. “All I can say is thank God for Christina. Her perfume took away the ripeness so I couldn’t smell myself.”
Zelda sounds more like her old self. That’s good, but Christina’s fragrance business has been doing so well I’m worried Bradley will quit to help her. So far, he hasn’t mentioned leaving Zentello, but he adores his wife so much I can see him wanting to do everything to help her reach the next level. I’ll be damned if I let him go without a fight. The company needs him. Plus I enjoy having him around.
“Jack got the perfume for you, didn’t he?” My tone isn’t sarcastic or caustic. I’m all healed from the big Zelda-shaped hole in my heart, and before Jayne, I sometimes pretended to make her think she’d broken me.
“Yes, Jack did. And it wasn’t even my birthday or a holiday.”
“Good for him.” I should get Jayne a present. I’d already thought about a bottle of Christina’s perfume, but scents seem to aggravate her morning sickness. Maybe I should wait until that stops. In the meantime, she might like a new Hermes purse and silk scarf. Zelda always appreciated those.
Someone calls my name, and I turn to see Cliff coming through the doors of the Federal Court Building and waving at me. He’s happy with the new judge assigned to the case now that the trial’s been moved to Seattle. I just want things finished as soon as possible so I can see Jayne. “Cliff just arrived.”
“I should be with you. Instead, I’m stuck at home with Jack watching me like a hawk.”
“You’re recovering from pneumonia. He was terrified when I got to the hospital.”
“He has some trauma with hospitals, but I’m fine. Or better. I will be fine, but I do like being pampered by him.” She giggles, and I know she’ll let him take care of her as much as he wants to. She has a huge heart and will do anything to make Jack happy.
“I’m glad, Zel.” And I am. “You also deserve the rest and to be pampered.”
“So do you.”
She’s said that before, so there’s no use in repeating what I always reply. I’m not one to go easy on myself, and only Mom and Zelda have ever come close to pampering me. Would Jayne want to do that? I try to picture it, but I can’t quite imagine a situation outside of sex. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Call me with any news at all. Please. I’ll just be sitting in bed bored. Well until six, then I’ll be FaceTiming Jules with Sophie and Christina. Rex has her on house arrest until the baby comes.”
Rex is the definition of overprotective. I worried about Zelda and made sure she remained safe from her stalker back in grad school, but I didn’t really understand how protective I could be until Jayne. “Doesn’t Jules have a couple of months left?”
“Three, and she’s on bedrest to keep from going into labor early. So we’re all getting pizza and video chatting. I’ll have to tell Jack not to hover.”
I’m glad Zelda finally has a life outside of work. For too long, we’d spent every hour working, which ultimately led to the breakdown of our relationship. I don’t want that for her any longer.
“I promise I’ll call you with all the details. Enjoy your evening.”
“Thanks, Nate. I know I’m probably stressing over nothing. We have all the proof that’s needed, and it’s all my stuff we’re using for evidence anyway.”
It’s true, seeing as Zelda came up with the original idea that led to the prototype of Orchid.
“Unless they let you bring an oxygen tank with you and a medical team worthy of a Grey’s Anatomy episode, I don’t see Jack letting you go anywhere, Zel.”
“I’m on the witness list.”
“Only if we need you.” And I hope we don’t.
She sighs again, knowing I’m right. “Okay, but please don’t keep anything from me.”
“I won’t. Now go and rest up.”
I end the call and greet Cliff, who looks sharp in a tailored suit and understated tie.
“You ready?” he asks.
“As I’ll ever be.”
I just hope my confidence isn’t misplaced. I also hope I haven’t given anything away to Jayne by mistake. We haven’t discussed the case other than that day in Portland, and I’m relieved about that. If we lose an ironclad case because I gave her some information by running my mouth, I’ll never forgive myself. Orchid is Zentello’s future, and Zelda’s creation. She’d be devastated if it all went to shit because of something I did or said.
“Let’s go,” Cliff says and walks toward the courtroom entrance.
I follow him, watching his self-assured swagger in awe. He’s costing us a fortune, but we want to win.
