Settlement （n.） – Liam
SETTLEMENT (N.):
THE RESOLUTION OF A LAWSUIT (OR OF A LEGAL DISPUTE PRIOR TO FILING A COMPLAINT OR PETITION) WITHOUT GOING FORWARD TO A FINAL COURT JUDGMENT.
LIAM
The following Friday
Icouldn’t remember the last time I made plans for after the final court session.
Everything pre-Olivia was simply work, go home, work some more, get in a midnight workout. Rinse, wash, repeat.
But nowadays, for some reason, I found myself looking up private restaurants on my lunch breaks.
I was researching small things she brought up in conversations—like her penchant for red roses and “any type of tulip.” She loved reading romance novels, but she was currently on a legal thriller binge, so I figured tonight’s date would be perfect for her.
“Do I have to wear this blindfold the entire time?” She turned her head as I drove. “I could just put it on when we get there.”
“For someone who claims to like surprises, you sure do insist on spoiling them…”
“Sorry.” She laughed. “I’ll be patient.”
“Thank you.” I clasped her hand behind the gearshift, ignoring the strange warm feeling in my chest.
Forty minutes later, I pulled into the VIP parking lot behind One More Chapter. The lights on the sign above the entrance flashed with tonight’s big event:
Meet The Author: #1 NYT Bestseller, Ryan Kenneth
The Legal Beast: A Thriller
I walked over to the passenger side and helped Olivia step out.
Taking advantage of the fact that she couldn’t see me, I admired her one-shouldered red dress.
“Are you okay?” I ran my hand along the back zipper. Then I smoothed the fabric and watched her skin tinge pink.
“I’m fine.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Good.” I gently held her against my side, leading her inside the bookstore.
“Welcome to the VIP signing!” A woman greeted us at the door. “Are you registered?”
“Yes.” I nodded, grabbing the blue gift box that was meant for Olivia. “Thank you.”
I led her to the main floor, where we had VIP seats, right at the center of the stage.
“Can I take this thing off now?” she asked, smiling. “I don’t think I can take any more of the suspense.”
“I guess it’s time.” I slid my hand through her hair and gently untied it, letting the thick cloth fall to the floor.
She gasped as she looked around the room. “A signing? For which author?”
I looked up at the stage and realized they hadn’t unveiled the banner yet.
“It’s the one in the box.” I handed it to her. “It’s a special edition.”
She ran her fingers along the wrapping.
“I know it’s fiction, but I figured it might come in handy if you ever decided to pursue law school again.”
“Can I open it?” she asked.
“Of course.”
She beamed, tearing away at the paper.
The back of the book appeared first.
She furrowed her brow, and her excitement visibly faded.
As the last shred fell away to reveal one of the best legal thrillers ever written, she tossed it to the floor.
Her face drained of color.
Then she glared at the book.
What the…
“I’m assuming you already have it,” I said, picking it up, “but The Legal Beast is the ultimate classic, so—”
“Please take me home.” She suddenly stood up, her voice cracking. “It could even be your place since it’s closer, but…Get me the hell out of here. Now.”
She slapped the book out of my hand and stormed out of the theater.
She didn’t say a word to me the entire ride home.
She just cried.