Day Two Morning Break

Judge Mathews called for the morning break, and you were able to relax for a moment.

“Nice job, John,” Eric said, reaching past Gemma to pat you on the back. “Seriously.”

“Thanks,” you said with a smile. “I’m still trying to figure out where their overall strategy is here though. I feel like they are just throwing shit at the wall and hoping it sticks.”

“Maybe they weren’t given as much time as we were?” Gemma guessed.

“Or they only worked on it during regular hours,” Sabrina said. “Most of our best work was done on our own time.”

“I think it’s both,” Eric said. “As well as a leadership issue. You did a really good job, Sabrina.”

Sabrina’s smile was big and broad, and you knew that hearing that from someone other than you or Gemma meant a lot to her. For how Eric had come off at the start of the summer to where you all were now, you couldn’t have imagined how well you all worked together and were friends. Part of you wondered if you would stay in contact with him afterwards - realistically it would probably just be through mutually following social media, but you also thought about those stories of someone knowing someone from college and that connection being helpful ten or fifteen years down the line. Who knew what Eric would become in the future, and how having a friendship from your interning days would connect you.

“Hey, you guys,” Amanda said, interrupting the conversation as she approached with a half-smile.

“Morning, Amanda,” you said.

“You’re looking cute today,” Sabrina said. “I love that dress and jacket combo.”

“Thanks,” Amanda said, her smile growing. She was wearing a simple dress that only showed a bit of her collarbone and hugged her curves without looking tight, and it paired with a jacket made of the same material that gave it a business feel. There was no hiding her bust, but it definitely helped minimise how apparent it was. “So, I’ve been sent over with a settlement offer,” she said, smirking just a little. “Apparently the others think they’ve pushed too hard and you’re not receptive to them. I couldn’t imagine why.” She rolled her eyes.

“Well, they’re right,” Sabrina snorted softly. “And we’re definitely more receptive to you.”

“What’s the offer?” Gemma asked.

“Three-quarters of the full policy payout, and cover our clients’ legal expenses,” Amanda said. “We’ll waive all rights for damages, and no apology from either side.”

Sabrina sighed and shook her head. “Three quarters is still a million and a half on a two million dollar policy,” she said. “Our counter is a replacement vehicle of equal value to the one that was covered by the policy, no damages, no legal fees.”

It was a little harsh, but you all knew that you had the plaintiff’s over a barrel.

“I’ll take it to my team,” Amanda said, shaking her head slightly. “But I doubt they will take it. They think this last witness will be the nail in the coffin.”

“Alright,” Sabrina nodded. “Let us know.”

Amanda smiled a little sadly to all of you, shrugged a little and then winked at you before heading back over to her team.

“Did she just wink at you?” Eric asked. “God, it’s ridiculous. You have all the luck.”

“We talked about this, Eric,” Gemma said. “Be more open to people. Hell, be more open with your girl Casey. I think you’ll be surprised.”

“Whatever,” Eric sighed. “Maybe. OK, I’m hitting the washroom before I run out of time.”

You and Gemma were about to follow him, wanting drinks and snacks from the refreshments being served out in the lobby, but Sabrina held you back. “I was chatting with Nelli this morning,” she said. “She says good luck and sent this.”

Sabrina handed over her phone, and you tapped the screen to play the video on it. It was FitNelli, her brightly dyed hair and cute, energetic expression immediately recognizable. It was short, maybe five seconds, and consisted of her just shooting air kisses around the camera cutely before ending with an emphatic kiss right at the lens, and then turning away and smacking her bare buttcheek as she was only wearing a long tank top. There wasn’t any sound, so you were able to watch it without giving anything away to anyone around.

You chuckled softly, but Gemma reached over and paused it. “You told her about the mock trial?” she asked Sabrina.

“No, well, not specifically,” Sabrina said. “I just told her we had a big presentation today at work, and she said she was rooting for us and good luck. I think she’s just… I dunno. She’s the kind of person who is just really invested in the people she’s interacting with in a really earnest way.”

“OK,” Gemma sighed, reassured. “Then it’s super cute, and you should tell her we say thank you and send kisses back.”

“Really?” you asked Gemma.

Your blonde girlfriend rolled her eyes softly and shrugged. “She’s cute, she’s being a friendly acquaintance, and she’s a good contact for your guys' side gig.”

“I know, but isn’t responding in kind sort of opening a door?” you asked.

Gemma shook her head, smiling almost like Amanda had before she left. “Whether it’s her or someone else, we know that you’ll need to work with someone else once in a while for the side gig. And the ‘all of us or none of us’ doesn’t work when I’m gone in a week. I can accept that, as long as we talk about it. So open the door.” She looked at Sabrina. “Or let her open the door. I’m OK with it.”

“God, I want to kiss you right now,” Sabrina said under her breath, beaming a smile and big eyes at Gemma.

“I know,” Gemma replied, then stood up. “Come on, let’s get out there before the vultures have picked over all the good snacks. We’ve got a case to smash.”

You wanted to kiss Gemma as well, and you wanted to talk more about her decision. Now just wasn’t the time, even if you knew how big a step it was to open ‘that door’ more and more when she was going to be away. She was right, though. You could talk soon enough when it was personal and safe, and you weren’t going to be distracted.

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