“Too bad I don’t listen to you.”
He laughed and pointed at me. “Ah, you got me.”
I closed my laptop and put the envelope in my bag. “I wish I could stay and kick it with you longer, but I have a lunch date.”
“Conveniently.”
Giggling, I said, “Seriously, I’m meeting Maya.”
Tristan grinned. “Give her my love.” He headed to the door. “And I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Tomorrow,” I commanded. “I need to see you on that plane, Tristan.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Think hard,” I shouted as he walked out.
A little later, I joined Maya at her favorite restaurant. “Hello.” I kissed her on her cheek. “You always beat me.”
“My morning meeting ended early.” She waved the waitress over, and I placed my drink order. Once the server left, she leaned forward. “I have good news.”
I smiled. “Today must be the day for that.”
“How so?” she asked.
I showed Maya the pictures Tristan had brought me. “I’m thinking my stint as fodder for the gossip mags might be over soon.”
She scowled as she studied the images. “He’s such a dirtbag. But good riddance.”
“Yeah. He’s definitely not my best moment.”
Maya peered at me. “I’d say you hit the lottery with Preston.”
“You know the deal on that.”
“I also know what I’ve seen.”
The waitress brought my drink over. I took a sip. “It was an act,” I lied. “Your idea, remember?”
“Oh, I do. But I’ve been around you two for a while now. I don’t think you should disregard the chemistry you obviously have with him.”
My mentor was observant. She’d seen what Preston and I couldn’t hide even though we’d tried. And since it was futile to argue that point, I changed the subject. “So what’s the good news?”
“Don’t think we won’t circle back around to this,” she warned. “But the board has made their decision. They love you and they think you’ll be an asset to the organization as a full member. They’re willing to throw their support behind you in a future campaign for prosecuting attorney.”
“Wow.” I thought I would feel happier than I did in that moment, because I’d worked for this. “That’s great.” I tried to sound excited, but I failed spectacularly.
“Dallas? Sweetie, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I lied. “I’m ecstatic.”
“But…?”
In the last hour and a half, I’d received good news from my brother and my mentor. And all I could think about was Preston. I’d been essentially vindicated with that Kimball scandal and accepted by Color of Law, but the victory felt hollow. But I couldn’t tell Maya that.Could I?“Nothing,” I repeated, forcing a smile. “I’m so thankful to you for your counsel, your friendship. This is a huge honor. I won’t let you down.” I meant that with everything in me, and I would jump in with both feet to succeed.
Maya tilted her head, studying me with wise eyes. “I’ve known you since you were a little girl. I can tell when something’s wrong, no matter how hard you try to hide it.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “Just a lot going on.”
