Page 239 of Irreversible

Mom drops her sandwich and gapes at me. “What? You didn’t tell me.”

“I signed the paperwork yesterday.” I chew on my lip, unable to tamp down the excitement whizzing through me. “I figured it’s never too late to pivot.”

She blinks half a dozen times, processing. “Forensics? After everything you’ve been through?”

“Yeah. If any good has come from my experience, it’s that I have a newfound appreciation for how the smallest details canmake the biggest difference. So much can be hidden in plain sight—a single piece of evidence can unravel a whole story.” My eyes glaze over, adrenaline buzzing in my chest. “I spent years analyzing every little thing that could’ve gotten me out of that situation. Now I want to use that focus for something more…productive. I want to help others find answers.”

Queenie and Mom share a glance, their faces tenderizing before they both look over at me. My mother’s eyes water. She nods, reaching for my hand and squeezing gently.

Her dragonfly ring still rests on her finger, shimmering under the California sun—resilience and change, she told me.

Queenie sighs, clicking her tongue. “Always knew you were meant for big things. You live your life the same way you tell your stories: unapologetically.”

I fold my hands in my lap, my attention panning between the two strongest women in my life. Both mothers in their own way, both guiding lights. “It’s how I was raised.”

A familiar engine roars up beside us, and I glance left, catching sight of a rust-colored Jeep. My chest sizzles like a firecracker. It’s hardly been six months, and my physical reaction to seeing Isaac Porter in the flesh has never waned, not for a second.

Cheeks warm and pulse fluttering, I watch as he hops out and shuts the door, strolling behind the vehicle and finding my eyes across the sidewalk. The smallest smirk ticks up his mouth as he wedges a hip against the Jeep’s rear and folds his arms, watching me from a few yards away.

I know that look.

There are suspension ropes in the trunk.

Mom clears her throat, pulling me from the invisible current crackling between Isaac and me on a downtown city street. Queenie whistles under her breath.

Flustered, I reach for my iced coffee and chug half of it. “What?” I say through the swallow.

“King Kong is looking at you like he just found his new favorite skyscraper,” Queenie mutters with a wink.

Mom’s lips press into a thin line, but her eyes gleam with amusement. “I hope you warned him you’re not exactly a damsel.”

I chuckle. “Pretty sure he figured that out when I made him carry my groceries up three flights of stairs.”

“Good man.”

I wave at Isaac, summoning him over to the café patio. Begrudgingly, he looks both ways, almost like he’s searching for the nearest escape route.

Not much has changed.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Isaac enters through the gate, rifling his fingers through his hair and pausing a few steps from the table. He sends a nod to my mother and Queenie, then stuffs his hands into his pockets, shuffling from foot to foot.

Smiling widely, I reach for my purse and pull out a wad of bills, tossing them onto the table. “That’s my cue,” I say, standing from the chair. “I’m so glad we could do this today. I really needed it.”

Mom jumps to her feet, drawing me into a firm, motherly embrace. Her necklaces and bracelets jangle as she clutches me, smoothing a hand through my hair. “Love you, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

I close my eyes and savor the moment. “Love you, too.”

“I’ll be staying with Queenie for the weekend. Allison is watching the animals.”

“Give her the biggest hug for me when you get back.”

“You know I will,” she says, inching away. “Let us know if you need help with the move.”

I nod. “Don’t have too much fun without me.”

The two women exchange a mischievous glance. “With the amount of tequila on the menu, we won’t remember much of it.”

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