6. Chapter Six | Savannah
Chapter six
“Ms. Callahan-Williams? If you’d follow me right this way, Ms. Lawrence is ready for you.
” The kindly woman with the warm eyes who introduced herself as Susan gestures to one of the hallways off the lobby area.
I smile and nod as I follow her. I try not to fidget with it, but this morning I swapped out my three-carat wedding ring for a ring Mama left me before she passed away.
When she gave birth to both Vivian and me, Daddy gave her special rings to commemorate the occasion.
Vivian’s has an emerald as the center stone, but my ring is a cushion cut sapphire in a dainty pavé setting.
I have always loved this ring, but it feels …
different on my left hand. The weight isn’t the same, the feel against my other fingers isn’t what I’m used to, and it’s distracting how different it feels.
With my head held high, I roll my shoulders slightly and realize I’m carrying more tension in my neck than I usually do.
Being here should not make me nervous. I should be excited to stick it to my soon-to-be ex-husband, but my stomach flips as butterflies take off.
It’s probably because I know this is a turning point and everything will change—again—after today.
There’s a feeling of anticipation, mixed likely with some nerves, that is almost electric in my gut.
My intuition and subconscious are probably just working through the various potential outcomes of this meeting.
And hopefully, the ultimate outcome includes the wreckage of Shane’s perfectly laid plans of exiting stage right of our lives unscathed .
Susan opens a glass door and waits for me to enter the modern conference room with glass walls.
My eyes sweep the space as a gorgeous brunette enters through a door on the other side of the room.
Philippa Lawrence was highly recommended by the head of one of Jack’s legal teams in New York, and my personal reasons for choosing her are the perfect cherry on top.
It was an added bonus when Daphne informed Jack that Ms. Lawrence is known for being foolishly underestimated because of her disposition and grace, but she is actually cunning, strategic, and at times, downright vicious. She sounds like my kind of girl.
“Ms. Callahan-Williams, it’s so nice to meet you.” She extends her hand in greeting. Mrs. Lawrence is prepared for a brisk winter day in her bespoke blush linen suit. As we shake hands, I can’t help but notice her magenta high heels that are a fun and unexpected surprise.
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Lawrence. I have a feeling, based on the nature of our meeting, it’s only appropriate that you please call me Savannah.” I smile as though it’s a joke, but it’s really not. My attorney will be privy to all of my dirty laundry.
“Absolutely, but only if you agree to call me Pippa.” Her smile is kind and reaches her eyes. I don’t know that I need to like my attorney if they were the right person for the job, but it will make this uncomfortable process a little easier to bare if I do.
I nod in agreement. “Sounds great.”
“Please.” She gestures to a chair at the conference table as we both take a seat. “I see Susan already got you a water, but can we get you anything else before we get started?”
I smile as I doubt she has access to a time machine. “No, thank you. I appreciate you taking this meeting on such short notice.”
“I have to be honest, Savannah, when I got the call last night from my dear friend from law school, I was more than intrigued. Do you currently have legal representation in your divorce?” Pippa leans in slightly to put her elbow on the table and rests her chin on her knuckles.
“I kind of did.” She tilts her head and arches an eyebrow.
“My husband—soon to be ex-husband, sorry—is a partner at Brown, Lewis, and Williams. The initial plan was for us to use a mediator through his firm. At the time, we both agreed that we wanted this process to be as painless as possible, and ultimately, as easy as possible on our daughters.”
“And that agreement has since changed?”
“That would be more than fair to say. He decided to manipulate the process, and when I received his most recent settlement offer, the amount of bullshit in it would make a hog farmer blush.”
Pippa throws her head back and her laughter bounces off the glass walls.
“Oh, Savannah, I think you and I are going to get along just fine, and dare I say, we may even have some fun together.” She winks at me and my body relaxes a little more.
I need a good attorney but it’s always nice to find someone that could become a friend as well.
I start telling Pippa about the history of my relationship with Shane and how it all fell apart last month when I found the paperwork for the penthouse.
Pippa mentions something about asset manipulation as she taps her pen on the table.
“You know, you just reminded me of a case from a few years ago. Do you mind if I run to my office really quick and have my assistant pull something? I’ll be just a moment.
” I nod as she steps out through the same door she came in and allow myself to take the first deep breath I’ve had all morning.
I’m lost in my thoughts until a brisk knock on the door behind me brings me back to the present.
My eyes dart to the door, and the butterflies in my stomach take flight as icy cobalt eyes roam over my body and his small smile grows into a wide grin with perfect dimples.
We’ve never been formally introduced but I know who he is immediately.
I’ve been hearing about him for years, and always thought he was good-looking—from a distance, of course.
As he walks into the room, I fully understand why my husband always felt threatened by his imposing presence.
He is an Adonis among mortals, and more importantly, the deciding factor of why I chose this law firm .
“Hello, Ms. Callahan-Williams, it’s nice to officially meet you. I apologize for the intrusion, but I couldn’t help myself.” He strides into the room and extends his hand as I stand to greet him.
“Hello, Mr. Smith-Harrington, trust me, the pleasure is all mine.”