You, Me, and the Secret: A Club Stigmata Novella by Elle Luckett

Author:Elle Luckett [Luckett, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

The visit to the lawyers was painless. Erin, Dillon’s assistant, offered to take Ashleigh when we arrived, and I was dubious about leaving them alone until the toys and books were dragged out from a panel in the wall behind the woman’s desk. In the office, the two lawyers waited for us with a stenographer, video camera on a tripod, and a couple of other staff who sat in a corner taking notes. There was a lot of lawyer talk I didn’t understand, mostly exchanged between Asher’s lawyer and Dillon as they ironed out details. I recognized Asher’s lawyer from the club but said nothing as they worked, speaking only to answer the questions they threw at me in an official capacity. I felt as though I were being interrogated at times.

They asked Asher questions and answered the ones he had for them. He spoke their language, leaving me feeling like a fool as I muddled out the meaning of legal terminology. When he noticed my growing frustration, he’d lean over and explain what they were talking about and, finally receiving some clarity, I was confident Dillon was doing his best for Ashleigh and me.

The process took us ninety minutes in all, but by the end of the meeting, Asher and I had signed every document they’d put in front of us before the forms were whisked away. We’d done our part, and the lawyers dismissed us to continue whatever they needed to do.

Ashleigh was in Asher’s arms as the elevator descended. After a long, familiar, and comforting hug from me, she’d thrown herself at him with a smile of satisfaction and dropped her head to his shoulder, staking her claim again.

“That was relatively painless.”

Asher rubbed his hand over Ashleigh’s back and smiled warmly. “I like your lawyer. He’s looking out for you both.”

I’d picked up that much myself and was glad of it. Having someone to guide me along the way seemed like a smart idea. Having someone who cared about us was even better.

“I think I missed a lot of what was going on, but I agree. I felt like he was working for our best interests.”

“What’s our interests, Momma?” Ashleigh asked, her blue eyes studying my face.

Now there was a loaded question. I had no idea how to explain this to a five-year-old brain.

“It means a lot of different things, baby. Today, it means the three of us can meet with Mema and Grandpa for supper. Tomorrow, it means we can walk the swamps with your friends. On Sunday…” I tapered off and tapped my chin, making her giggle. “What do you want to do on Sunday?”

“Trampoline park,” she said without hesitation, the word coming out in a squeal. “Can Asher come, too?”

“If he has the time, absolutely, baby.”

Asher looked curious. “I want to be there, but... a what park?”

“Trampoline.” I felt the corner of my mouth curl up in humor.

“As in an actual trampoline?”

“Hundreds of them,” I confirmed, highly amused at the bewilderment he was exhibiting. “They also have little ninja courses you can run.

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