Judge Gunderson’s voice yanked her out of her thoughts. “Before I officially hear this case—” she peered down at them meaningfully, her presence heavy in the small room “—I want to offer you both a solution that has been suggested to me by concerned parties.”
Concerned parties? That would equal one Maudine Townsend. Gina forced herself to keep her eyes forward on the judge and not glaring at her grandmother.
She loved the woman.
She admired her.
Couldn’t live without her.
But she liked to meddle where she oughtn’t.
“Consider giving the child the stability and permanence marriage will provide.”
Maybe the judge was her grandmother’s best friend, but damn it.
“I object,” Gina said.
“Shh!” Emma and her grandmother said at the same time.
“Of course you do.” Judge Gunderson addressed her. “I wouldn’t want to marry a man I didn’t love, either. But you could do it for Amanda Jane.”
Reed’s gaze was hot on her, as if she’d just come into the sight of some heat-seeking missile. Well, she wasn’t going to look at him and give him the satisfaction.
“So my client is good enough to provide for you, but not good enough to marry? Noted,” the shark replied.
“Young man,” Helga Gunderson began as she turned her chilly stare on him. “Maybe your theatrics are appreciated in other courts. But you are in my courtroom. Being a smart aleck isn’t going to win you any favors.”
The shark grinned, not at all put off by her words. “Yes, ma’am.” He was almost handsome, that predator in a suit, with his boyish grin.
“And, Miss Grimes, please remind your client that she isn’t the one who gets to object.” Helga looked at them both pointedly.
“Yes, ma’am.” Emma nudged her under the table like she had those years ago in study hall.
And her grandmother pinched her on the other side.
“You don’t get to object, either. Stop it,” she grumbled under her breath at the woman who looked more pleased with herself than she should.
“Miss Grimes, Mr. James, confer with your clients.”
Emma leaned over. “It costs us nothing to say you’ll consider it. In fact, it could gain us some leverage if we have to appeal. You look agreeable and motivated to do what’s best for Amanda Jane.”
She snuck a glance at Reed and felt as if she was in high school all over again. She didn’t want to be the one to put herself out there. To say yes before he did. It was like admitting she didn’t think boys had cooties in the fourth grade. That was so stupid.
“You need every advantage you can get here. He’s her father. Crystal may have wanted you to have custody, but legally—” Emma whispered.
“Okay, fine.” Oh, God, could Reed really take Amanda Jane away from her? She’d never actually believed that could happen, but sitting here in the courtroom now, it was a sword of Damocles hanging over her head. He had more money, more advantages and no matter what Judge Gunderson’s ruling was, Reed could appeal it forever.
Emma straightened and nodded to the judge.
Reed’s eyes were on her again; she didn’t need to look at him to know that he was the one who watched her. It was almost as if he was trying to see what was under her skin. Or maybe he was just trying to look through her and pretend she wasn’t there.
“What about you, Mr. James? Your client’s answer?”
“We agree to consider it.”
Consider it. Marrying Reed Hollingsworth? That was just insane. The idea crashed into her, bruising her in places she didn’t know were still sore.
He was “considering” it. As if he would deign to look down from the castle he’d built for himself and still found her lacking.
She snuck a glance at him and he was still watching her, his blue eyes sharp as blades slicing her to ribbons.
But Gina refused to look away, refused to back down. She’d fight for Amanda Jane with every breath in her body.
“If you decide to go forward, I want a prenup on my desk before next week. If not, we’ll be revisiting this case to decide custody, visitation and support.”
“This is wonderful news. What are your colors going to be?” Maudine asked. “I’m thinking blush and cream.”
“I’m thinking you’ve lost your mind.” She took her grandmother’s hand. “If for some reason, this insanity happens, it will be just a signing of papers in Emma’s office. No dress, no vows, no—”
“Why would you deny an old woman her last wish?”
Gina snorted. “You’re far from dying, Grams.” She said it more to reassure herself than anyone else.
“You don’t know that. I could get hit by a bus. Or choke on—”
“Then I should never get married so you don’t ever leave us.” Gina hated how close to the truth that really was and her nose prickled.
“Hush with that.” Maudine’s thin arm came around her and pulled her close. She smelled like lavender and home. “Come on, now. Everything will be well. I know these things.”
After the judge left, Gina wanted to do anything but be in the same room with Reed. She was afraid he’d speak to her; she was afraid he wouldn’t. She didn’t know how to act.
When she’d been thinking about taking him to court for child support, this part of it had never figured into the equation. This hadn’t been real to her. It had been some fey idea in her head. When Emma asked her if she was sure about taking him to court, she’d been so steadfast. So sure. Now? She was drowning.
She didn’t think she’d have to see him, hear him. She certainly hadn’t thought she’d have to marry him.
As if that would happen, anyway. Not in a million years. The idea was preposterous.
But then what would she do if he wanted sole custody? Gina needed Amanda Jane as much as her niece needed her. She was her touchstone, her reason for fighting as hard as she had. She might have given up on med school last semester if not for her.
For a moment, Gina wondered if maybe that might be the best thing for Amanda Jane. Reed had all the advantages and she’d never want for anything.
But Reed didn’t know how to be a family. His own had been more lacking than hers. She’d at least had her grandmother.
Now wasn’t the time for self-doubt. It was the time to be decisive, to charge ahead with confidence, bravery and to never ever look back.
REED’S FIRST REACTION to the news that he was a father had been anger. Anger that he’d been denied the chance to really be a father. Anger that Crystal and Gina had taken that away from him. Anger that they didn’t want anything from him except his money. Because he hadn’t known he was a father until he’d been served with suit for child support.
Then under that anger, all the old pain, the old doubt—all the baggage associated with the old Reed— surfaced. He was very much that same kid again who wanted so desperately to be enough.
But something akin to longing vied for top tier when he saw Gina sitting there next to her grandmother.
Beautiful, innocent Gina with her ethereal pale skin, her cloud of dark hair and her soft pink lips that always had a smile for him.