By the end of the day, all of Paula’s lies are exposed, and Paula is exposed as a liar. The judge actually kicks her out, saying that she has nothing but deceit to contribute to the trial.

I silently rejoice in my seat.

The judge sighs deeply, apparently tired. “You know what? I can’t bear to hear one more word out of either of you. This case is adjourned until tomorrow, nine o’clock.”

 I stand, happy to finally be free and see Kristal looking at me.

“Yeah?”

“Look, I’m sorry about yesterday and—“

“Don’t give me that,” I snap. “You knew good and well what you were doing.”

“Look, after the trial, I’m just going to leave and go back to Chicago and get back to my other projects.”

“I think that’d be best,” Ashley offers, although I can tell she’s sad.

“Um…” Kristal shoves her hands in her pockets, looking down at her feet. “You know where to reach me if you need me Ash,” and with that, she was gone.

Later that night, Ashley and I are lounged out on the couch, bodies intertwined. We whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ear, enjoying one another’s company. Just before our lips meet for a sensual kiss, the phone rings.

Ashley continues anyway, locking our lips together.

I pull away slightly. “You really should get that,” I say, giggling. She shakes her head and scrunches her face before kissing me again. Then, she flips us over so that I’m underneath her, pinning me down so that I can’t move.

“It could be important,” I murmur into the kiss while cupping her cheek. I don’t actually want her to go anywhere, I’m just playing the concerned naggy girlfriend role.

And I do it oh so well.

She continues for a few more moments before pulling away completely. “You’re right,” and she heads to the phone.

I groan, anxiously awaiting her return.

“Hello?” I stifle a laugh because her voice is still breathy. “Oh, hey Kris.”

My head shoots up.

“Yeah, no, what did you need?” She motions me to come over.

“Uh huh, yeah, here she is.” I nonverbally ask what she wants, but Ash just shrugs.

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to cut right to the chase since we seem to have foregone casualties. Avery Scott, the prosecutor, filed a complaint about his witnesses’ hostility and unwillingness to testify.”

“Mhmm…”

“And usually they don’t do this, but Spencer? They’re making you testify.”