Page 118 of One Little Kiss

We climb the steps to the courthouse, and familiar faces greet us, though I couldn’t tell you any of their names.

“Miss Darling. Mr. Westbrook,” one of the attorneys says in greeting.

Colton shakes hands with all of them, but never lets my hand go, so the most I can offer is a weird, left-handed wave.

“It seems opposing counsel has dropped their client, or at least put in paperwork to do so.”

“What does that mean?” I can’t let hope form yet.

“It means that our job just got a lot easier. We should head inside. We’ll guide you through the process, but only speak up if the judge addresses you directly.”

Colton and I nod and follow the team he and Preston assembled. Entering the courtroom, I do a double take when I see one side of the room is full. Every Westbrook adult is in attendance, and they’re giving me varying versions of a thumbs-up. My hand clutches my heart, remembering how alone I was the first time I was here.

Colton’s mom hurries to our side and wraps me in a maternal hug. “We’ve got you, sweetheart. Go kick some motherly ass.”

I gasp, never in a million years expecting a curse word from Sylvie Westbrook.

“Are you okay?” Colton whispers.

“Uh huh.”

“What’s going on?” He glances around the room. When his gaze locks, I know he’s found my father, but I honestly haven’t even noticed him.

“The first time I was here, days after my mom died, I was by myself. These rows were all empty, and I’d never felt so alone in my life.”

Colton turns his head to me with a soft smile that causes his eyes to crinkle at the corners. “Lexi likes to say we travel in packs.” He peers over his shoulder. “We’re stronger together, Winnie. So, however we travel, we travel with you now.”

“All rise,” a booming voice states, causing me to jump.

My heartbeat whooshes in my ears as people talk all around me. I focus on breathing. On my hand inside of Colton’s. To the kind hand that lands on my shoulder from behind and gives me a squeeze.

Time stands still as the judge asks questions. Lawyers from both sides plead their case. A vision of Weston playing at home with his trains is the only thing that keeps me from falling apart.

There’s a commotion to my left, and I blink to bring everything into focus. “What happened?” I whisper to Colton, who stares at me with concern.

“Your dad basically just told the judge he’d turn over parental rights to me for a million dollars,” he hisses.

“He—”

“Is not very bright, and is probably drunk,” Colton finishes.

Turning my attention to the judge, I catch just the tail end of her berating my father before having him removed from her courtroom. He curses, and fights against the officer, and when the door closes behind him, you could hear a pin drop.

“Miss Darling. Mr. Westbrook. Please approach the bench.”

Colton leans into my ear. “It’s okay, CC,” he whispers and pulls me to standing.

My legs shake as we walk toward the judge, who sits impassively, not giving anything away.

“Miss Darling. You’ve been in my courtroom before.”

I feel Colton’s gaze on me. “Y-Yes, I have.”

“How have you been?”

My head snaps up to find a kind smile. “Um, good?”

“Do you know why I remember you, Miss Darling?”