Nina’s posture straightened. She buttoned her blazer. The iridescent navy seemed to sober to black. They’d been friends for years, but Sullivan was still impressed. Nina would be almost as frightening as the Mega Eats attorneys if she weren’t on their side, but she was on their side. They were fine.
Sullivan placed her hand on Kia’s shoulder, an awkward gesture since they were sitting next to each other, but Kia gave a wan smile.
It’s okay, Sullivan mouthed.
“As the court is aware,” Nina said, “we are asking for a motion for summary judgment. Mega Eats contends that my clients’ marriage is orchestrated to steal a land deal. This is not only untrue, but, legally speaking, it is a moot point. They are arguing that the marriage is invalid because Ms. Jackson and Ms. Sullivan haven’t known each other long enough to fall in love.” Nina exuded confidence, her voice smooth, persuasive, and slightly amused. “The thing I find peculiar about this situation is how a billion-dollar corporation known for harassing landowners and businesspeople who stand in their way would have such a romantic outlook on marriage. It doesn’t matter if my clients are in love. As you know, Your Honor—but perhaps Mr. Mulroney does not—I am a divorceattorney. If lack of love—and Mr. Mulroney has offered no proof that Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Jackson do not love each other—but if a lack of love annulled relationships…” Nina shrugged and held up her hands in a helpless gesture. “What would I do all day?”
When Nina finished, Kia swore she saw the judge nod with a hint of approval in his eyes, which was comforting and somehow a little depressing. No need for love? Not even affection?
“Mr. Mulroney, your response?” the judge asked, his tone cool and skeptical.
Mega Eats’ lawyer stood up; his cartoon-Mafia bluster had morphed into calm composure. He walked to the podium with a quiet confidence, his eyes meeting Judge Harper’s.
“Thank you, Your Honor. Nina’s argument is well crafted.”
Nina’s face tightened at the use of her first name.
“But her argument overlooks several key pieces of evidence that create genuine issues, which must be evaluated thoroughly by a fact finder.” He went on. “The evidence we have submitted shows that Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Jackson have only just moved in together. Photographs taken just a little while ago show them living completely separate lives and, as I mentioned in my brief, they’ve only known each other for a few days.”
Nina stood. “Objection,” she said. “My clients met over ten years ago and spent four years in culinary arts school together. It’s quite possible they have known each other longer than Mr. Mulroney has been practicing law. Not that that matters. And while we are talking about cohabitation, Your Honor, I’ve met your wonderful wife at various legal conferences. In Seattle. Where she lives and practices law for most of the year. I assume you would not consider yours a fraudulent marriage.”
“You will not bring my personal life into this courtroom.”
“My apologies, Your Honor.”
“We’d also like to point out that Ms. Sullivan does not appear anywhere on Ms. Jackson’s social media, even though Ms. Jackson makes a point of being a member of the LGBTQ community.”
Nina was on her feet again. “Objection. Being out does not require that she broadcast her private life.”
“It simply seems odd that a woman who has featured her egg timer on her feed would fail to mention her ‘real’ marriage to Alice Sullivan,” Mulroney said.
“A very good point, Mr. Mulroney,” the judge said.
“We’d like to call on caseSavilleandSaville,” Mulroney added.
“Those are powerful precedents,” the judge said. “Have you overlooked those cases, Ms. Hashim?”
“Those cases aren’t on point. In both cases, the marriage was an attempt to defraud. If, hypothetically, my clients did marry to secure the land in question—and I am not proposing that they did—that is the opposite of an attempt to defraud through marriage. That is working in the open for mutual benefit.”
“It is an attempt to defraud Mega Eats.”
“Your Honor, this feigned innocence is wearing thin. Mega Eats believes in the power of true love, and now they think it’s fraud if two businesswomen outsmart them? Would Mr. Mulroney like me to hold his hand too?”
Mulroney’s face reddened. His associates leaned back as though waiting for an explosion. It didn’t come. Sullivan thought she saw the judge and Mulroney exchange a look, a look that was more frightening than an outburst. They knew something. She caught Nina’s eye.
“I know,” Nina whispered.
The pit in Sullivan’s stomach morphed into a canyon-sized hole. Judge Harper seemed to turn on Nina.
Mulroney said, “Your Honor, it is imperative that this case beheard on its merits.”
The judge stood.
“Your Honor, I haven’t finished,” Nina said.
“You can finish at the trial. I find in Mega Eats’ favor. I can’t dismiss this out of hand. We will proceed to trial to see if Ms. Hashim’s musing on love and business hold water.” He hit the striking block with his gavel. “Next.”
This was what shock felt like. Kia felt like she was watching herself, Nina, and Sullivan from above. There they were standing on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse. It was a dream. It wasn’t happening. Nina would explain that Kia had misunderstood the judge’s decision. They were fine. Nina had been right.
