Page 8 of Betrothed To Love

Two hours after the hearing, we are all outside. After inhaling and exhaling the fresh air a few times, Ace asks, “Now what?”

“Now you go home, take care of your family, and let me do what I do,” I tell him before we embrace.

“Thanks, bruh. For real, thank you,” he says, truly appreciative, before trekking over to Sade. She’s been waiting in the parking lot for the last hour. Before he reaches her, she’s out of the car and rushing toward him.

The minute Ace is away from us, Aven turns to face me. With her usual left eyebrow raised, she asks, “What’s going on with you and Judge Coleman? You were in her chambers for a minute. Plus, the courtroom was empty and quiet. I heard you say Ace was her brother-in-law? I didn’t know you knew her.”

“It’s complicated,” is all I admit because this is super complicated. A simple plan of one night of drinks ended with me married to the sexy, fine, and strong-willed Mireya Coleman. “I got to work some shit out. Great job today. You can head home for the weekend.”

“It’s barely lunch time and I need to take these docs back to the office,” she insists.

“I got it. You live here. It makes no sense to drive to Diamond Falls. Go pick Zek up from school and tell him Uncle Quintus said hi.”

“Are you sure?” she asks with hopeful eyes. Aven lives in Crescent Falls and commutes to Diamond Falls daily for work. From the jail, she’s actually only twenty minutes from her home.

“Positive. Just go before I change my mind,” I say and she shoves the files into my hands.

“You don’t have to tell me twice. Thanks and see you Monday. And please try to get some rest too, boss.”

“I’ll try.” As soon as I figure out my marriage and wife who doesn’t want to stay in it.

Since it’s been a few hours since I left Mireya’s chambers, I take a chance and head back. Maybe she’s had time to process this and realized that I’m right. An annulment after recusing herself can easily be spun by her opponent and used to cost her re-election. And hopefully, she won’t kick my ass out again. I can’t lie; that shit was sexy as fuck though. I love a confident woman who’s not afraid to demand what she wants; add a beautiful thick body to the confidence and it’s fucking perfection.

Thoughts of Mireya and our current new relationship cause me to hop in my GX 550 and head back to the courthouse. When I pull up, my cell vibrates so I grab it from my cupholder. It’s a text.

Shuga: What happened with Ace?

Me: He’s out on bail. Sade just picked him up.

Shuga: Thank God! I can’t stop crying. Thank you, baby.

Me: I told you I would handle it.

Shuga: I know. I know.

Shuga: Are you still there?

Me: Yeah. I’ll be there a little later.

Shuga: Take your time, sweetheart. We’re good.

Satisfied that my people are good, I confidently head inside the court to her chambers. Her cool aide smiles as soon as she sees me. I know most judges and their aides are close like me and Aven. so I wonder if she knows what’s going on with me and her boss.

“You’re back,” she greets with a smile.

In case she doesn’t know what’s going on, I keep things professional with my response. “Yes. Is the judge available?” I ask.

“She’s in chambers but let me see if she’s free. Have a seat?” she says with a nod. Then she turns to her laptop and starts typing for a minute before looking up at me. Her next words come out slow, almost apologetically. “Um…she’s…She’s busy. Not available. Sorry. Would you like to get on her calendar next week?”

“Does she have court later this afternoon?” I counter.

Her head turns back toward Mireya’s door then she looks at me and shakes her head. “No. She’s done for today. She just doesn’t want to⁠—”

“To see me?” I ask, completing her sentence and she smirks.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you and the judge and I don’t want to know until she tells me. I’m going to mind my Black woman business and take a break,” she says, then stands. “If you sneak in there while I’m on break,” she adds with air quotes on break. “I’m not to blame.”

When she steps around her desk and walks out, I head into Mireya’s chambers. Because she’s standing, facing the wall behind her desk in the middle of a phone conversation, she doesn’t hear or see me enter.