Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Laurel
Unfortunately, I have to get home. Can you meet me there? I’ll text you my address.
Fine. I’ll head over as soon as we land.
When I stepped through the front door, Stella, Sara, and Sophie ran over and hugged me.
“Gosh, I missed you girls.” I hugged them tightly. “How was school?”
All three started talking over each other like they always did, creating a chaotic environment as they followed me into the kitchen.
“Hi, Mom.” I kissed her cheek.
“Hi, honey. How was your day?” A smile crossed her lips.
“It was good. You didn’t have to cook dinner.”
“I wanted to. It’s the least I could do.”
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s out in the back fixing the lock on the gate. ”
“I have a landlord who can do that.” I grab the bottle of wine and a glass.
“You know how your father is.”
After my parents left, I called the girls down for dinner.
“I want you three to listen to me. One of my bosses is coming over to go over some things for a case we’re working on. I need you girls to stay in your rooms and do your homework while he’s here. Understand?”
“What’s his name?” Sara asked.
“Julian Hamilton.”
“Is he old?” Stella asked.
“No. He’s around my age.”
“Then he’s old.” Sophie smiled.
I smiled as I shook my head. The doorbell rang, and I felt a fluttering in my belly.
“You three stay here and finish your dinner.” I set the napkin on the table and walked over to the door.
When I opened it, Julian stood in his dark Tom Ford suit, holding his briefcase.
“Welcome to my humble abode.” I gestured for him to come in. “How was your trip?”
“Not bad,” he said.
I saw him staring over my shoulder. When I turned around, all three girls were standing like perfect little soldiers, staring at him.
“Julian, these are my daughters. Stella, Sara, and Sophie. Girls, this is Julian Hamilton.”
“Hi,” they said, raising their hand for a small wave.
“Hey.” Julian nodded.
“Did you eat?” I asked him. “My mom cooked dinner, and there’s plenty.”
“I haven’t had a chance to grab anything yet,” he said.
“Come in the kitchen, and I’ll make you a plate. ”
As I was plating Julian’s food, the girls were questioning him.
“Are you as good a lawyer as my mom?” Stella asked.
“Are you married?” Sophie asked.
“Where do you live?” Sara asked.
Julian glanced at me as I set his plate in front of him. I could tell he was irritated.
“Girls, Julian didn’t come here to answer your nosy questions. Go upstairs and finish your homework.”
They stood from their seats and ran out of the kitchen.
“Sorry about that,” I said, sitting down.
“They seem like a handful,” he said. “Wow. This is really good.”
“I’ll be sure to let my mom know.” I smiled. “As for the girls, they can be a handful sometimes.”
“So, what do the cops have on Georgina?”
“They reviewed the CC footage and found her walking into the hotel with her husband.”
“Fuck. Are you serious?”
I grabbed my laptop from my bag, set it on the table, opened it, and brought up the footage.
“It’s from behind. You can’t even see her face,” Julian said. “They’re grasping.”
“Several hotel workers recall seeing her there with him that night,” I said. “But something isn’t sitting right with me.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“This isn’t looking good. The cops have the murder weapon, Georgina’s blood-stained dress, and now footage of her entering the hotel with her husband.”
“The prosecution is going for no bail,” I said.
“The prosecution can kiss my ass.” He set his fork down and wiped his mouth with a napkin .
I grabbed his empty plate and mine and took them to the sink.
“She’s not a flight risk,” he said. “Although, it’ll take a miracle to get the judge to grant her bail with all the evidence stacked against her.” He stood from his chair. “Thanks for dinner. It’s been a long day, and I have to get home.”
“Sure. Okay.” I wiped my hands on the dishtowel.
As I walked Julian to the door, all three girls ran down the stairs, shouting at each other.
“What is going on?” I asked.
“Stella told me I’m stupid,” Sara shouted.
“I did not!” Stella shouted.
“Yes, you did!” Sophie pointed at her.
All three started talking over each other. Suddenly, Julian whistled loudly, and the girls froze in mid-argument.
“You’re welcome.” He winked at me and walked out of the house.
Shutting the door, I stared at my daughters.
“He’s hot, Mom,” Stella said.
“Yeah. He’s super cute.” Sophie giggled.
“He is, isn’t he?” A smirk crossed my lips as I walked into the kitchen.