by Ethan Stone
“Looks like we have a couple things to take care of today,” Cathryn said. “The first is the official complaint.” She glanced at Mrs. Gioberti. “What do you have to say about this new evidence?”
She shrugged. “I guess I was mistaken.”
Cathryn chuckled. “Yes, it was a mistake to come here and lie to me. That is a serious offense.”
“I didn’t…”
“I believe you knew the truth—that they didn’t start dating until after your case and that it isn’t Judge Rosen in that picture.”
Mrs. Gioberti stammered a bit, but the judge cut her off again. “You seem to have a serious problem with bothering your neighbor. I suggest you stay away from him. And if you ever bring another insane lawsuit against Mr. Jacobsen—or anybody—I won’t hesitate to go after you for frivolous litigation.”
The elderly lady hung her head in shame, but I was sure it was pretense.
Cathryn then turned to me and Jody. “My next issue is what I’m going to do with you two.”
“No disrespect intended,” I said, “but what authority do you have over us?”
She smiled. “Don’t question me, Shawn.”
“Yes, your honor.” I stood up straight.
“Any suggestions, Mr. Jacobsen?”
He grinned from ear to ear. “I made a huge mistake. Very, very big. But I’d like a second chance. I want to prove to Shawn that I can be the man he wants me to be.”
“How could he do that, Shawn?”
I paused to think about it. “He could have dinner with my family. That includes my ex, my daughter, my brother and his wife, and my niece.”
Jody blanched, but after a moment, he slowly nodded.
“Are you willing to do that, Mr. Jacobsen?”
“Your honor, I’ve been resistant to meeting his family because I didn’t want things to get real, but I’m ready to do that now. I’m falling in love with Shawn, and I’ll do anything if he’ll give me a second chance. He has a claim to my heart, and I hope he takes it.”
“Is it a small claim?” I asked.
He grinned. “Not at all. It’s a very big claim.”
“Shawn, do you accept these terms?” Cathryn asked.
“Yes, I do, your honor.”
“Excellent! I order you to give him a second chance, and I order him to attend a family dinner.” She banged her gavel. “Case closed.”
Without waiting another second, I grabbed Jody and pulled him into my arms.
“I’m sorry,” he said between kisses.
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go home and figure things out.”
“Sounds good to me.”
When I finally broke away, I saw Cathryn, Dana, and Mrs. Gioberti watching us. The judge and Dana beamed with joy and Mrs. G. was scowling, but even her hateful attitude couldn’t ruin my happiness.
“Dana, I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
“Have fun, Judge,” she replied.
I winked at her. “I plan on it.”
I fought the urge to pick Jody up in my arms, the fact that I’d probably keel over if I did was what stopped me. There were many things I wanted to do with Jody and wouldn’t have minded doing them on the floor, but not at work in front of others. It all had to be behind closed doors.
About Ethan Stone
Romance on the Edge
Ethan Stone doesn't write your typical boy meets boy stories. With a combination of love and suspense he makes his characters work hard for their HEAs. If they can survive what he puts them through, then they can survive anything. He enjoys Romance with an Edge.
Ethan has been reading mysteries and thrillers since he was young. He's had a thing for guys in uniform for just as long. That may have influenced the stories he writes.
He's a native Oregonian with two kids and a sweet, adorable bear of a husband who just might be out to drive him crazy.
Where readers can find Ethan online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ethan.stone.54
Twitter: @ethanjstone
Other Books by Ethan Stone
Standalones
Small Claims
Racing Hearts (Multi-Author Anthology)
Subject 13
Bartender, PI
Dirty
Transparency (With Sara York)
Hacked Up
Tales of a Prison Bitch
Past Tense
Wolf Moon
Being Taught
Starting Over
Love, Vegas Style Series
Muse
Lies & Diamonds & Bears
One More Time
Seaside Shifters Series
Wild Retaliation
Wild Instincts
Flesh Series
In the Flesh
Flesh & Blood
Blood & Tears
Closing Ranks
Confessions
Uniformity Series
Compromised
Damaged
Recruited
