Page 6 of The One for Forever

“Because she’s a grown up and can’t afford to spend weeknights playing foosball and having video game tournaments.”

He scoffs. “You hardly ever played anyway. You were always too busy studying or working.”

“Exactly! I have other priorities. I need to focus.”

“Ouch. That cuts close to home.”

“I’m just saying what’s best for me.”

We’ve had this conversation before. Cliff was upset when I finally moved out of our shared rental six months ago. Up until that point, we’d had a great run together. But then our roommates Danny and Aiden moved out. They fell in love with amazing women, settled down into their real lives. Even Cliff has Lia.

I want to fall in love too.

Correction: I want to fall in love with a man who willlove me back.

And I can’t do that living in a house where Rex Easton shows up all the time.

Cliff gives me a one-armed hug. “Just don’t go changing too much. Some people like the old Quinn a lot.”

“Aw, I like you too. I miss seeing you in the hallway and cooking together. But don’t accuse me of neglecting you. We still hang out all the time.”

“Ew, you like me? Gross.”

He reaches up to ruffle my hair, and I point a finger at him. “Mess up my hairstyle, and you die.”

This is one thing Idon’twant to change. Cliff and me. Our friendship. And hopefully, it will never have to.

Cliffand I make the rounds, saying hello to people we know. I get pulled aside by some fellow DAs, and Cliff ends up in a circle of patrol officers.

My group gets quiet when our boss comes over. Lana smiles knowingly, rubbing circles over her pregnant belly. “Don’t stop talking on my account. Unless you were talking about me.”

“We were just complaining about Derek Keller,” I say under my breath. “He keeps blinding people with his cufflinks.”

Lana rolls her eyes. “I’m surprised he’s not carrying around one of those ‘Free Amber’ posters.” Then she winces. “Nobody repeat that. Sorry. I’m supposed to set a good example for you young people.” Which makes us all laugh because she’s in her thirties and not that much older than us.

But she’s still my idol.

After chatting with the group for a few minutes, Lana grabs my wrist. “Quinn, can I steal you? There’s something I wanted to chat about.”

“Of course.” Like I would say no. My colleagues watch in envy as Lana takes me to a secluded corner of the ballroom. When she spins around, she’s got her game face on.

“What did Derek Keller say to you?” she asks. “Was he gloating about the motion his firm filed yesterday afternoon?”

Lana Marchetti is the youngest district attorney in West Oaks history. Despite her jokes, she’s usually a great role model for getting along with the other side. Jane Holt, tonight’s honored Lawyer of the Year, is the top defense lawyer in town and one of Lana’s closest friends. Both Lana and Jane are moms, pillars of the community. And they each have adoring husbands who happen to be drop-dead gorgeous.

They have it all. The careers and beautiful families. Exactly what I want. But when Lana was twenty-nine, a year older than I am now, she was first-chairing a major murder trial. The previous DA was already grooming her as his replacement. She’s gracious, but she’s also a formidable litigator who doesn’t take crap from anyone.

In short, she’s amazing. And everything I want to be.

“Gloating might be a strong word,” I say. “There was definitely smirking.”

Lana taps her chin with a red fingernail. “They’re moving to allow cameras in the courtroom. They want to turn this trial into a media sideshow.”

“It’s getting there already. Last I heard, #FreeAmber was trending on TikTok.”

“Yes, but I’m afraid of it getting much worse. I don’t want to worry you. Or put a damper on tonight. But this could be serious.” Lana pulls me closer, whispering, “We’ve been receiving threats.”

“What?”

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