Page 1 of Worth the Fall

CHAPTER 1

Mia

If anyone asks, I'm not actually eating my feelings.

The pink-frosted cupcake staring back at me from my pristine oak desk is purely medicinal. A perfectly reasonable response to finding my ex-boyfriend's name at the top of yet another legal contract. Clearly another failure at "setting boundaries" on my part.

"Just one more," I mutter, reaching for what has to be my fourth cupcake of the evening. The sugar hits my system like a shot of pure comfort, momentarily dulling the ache that comes with seeing Cameron's familiar signature.

The fluorescent lights hum overhead, a fitting soundtrack to my sugar-fueled pity party. I shouldn't even be reviewing this contract. When we broke up three months ago, I gave him a list of excellent lawyers, all highly qualified professionals, who hadn't spent twelve years planning a future with him only to have him "need space" while literally taking up my entire couch.

"Miss Mason?"

I quickly swallow a mouthful of frosting as Linda appears in my doorway, her expression way too knowing. My secretary has appointed herself my personal fairy godmother since thebreakup, a role that apparently includes an endless supply of eligible bachelors.

"Just wanted to remind you about dinner with my son tonight," she says brightly. "And before you comment, he's only lived in my basement for two years, but he's very responsible!"

I force what I hope is a polite smile. "Thanks, Linda, but I have to work late. These contracts won't review themselves."

She frowns, clearly disappointed. "Again? You know what they say about all work and no play…"

"Makes me a successful lawyer?" I suggest, aiming for light but probably landing somewhere around desperate.

"Makes you lonely," she corrects gently before heading back to her desk.

I let out a long breath, turning back to Cameron's contract. My fingers hover over my phone as I debate whether to call him directly about the concerning clauses I've found or email his legal team. Three months of radio silence, and now I have to be the one to reach out. The universe has a twisted sense of humor.

My phone lights up with a text from Becca, my neighbor and newest friend—one of the few good things to come out of moving to my new place post-breakup.

Becca

Pickleball this weekend? Me, Hector, & his brother. You in?

I groan, the thought of being set up on yet another blind date or attempt by Becca and her fiancé. I'm halfway through typing my usual "thanks but no thanks" when I pause, staring at my reflection in the window. My strawberry-blond waves have lost their morning bounce, and my makeup has faded after twelve hours in the office. But it's my eyes that give me pause—theylook tired, resigned. Like they belong to someone who's been hiding behind legal briefs instead of actually living.

"Because that’s exactly what you’ve been doing."

I shake the thought away, grabbing my phone to text Austin first, my failed first date post Cameron breakup that turned into a surprisingly good friend. If anyone can make an awkward sporting event bearable, it's him.

Me

Hey Austin…need a big favor. Any chance you’re good at pickleball and want to play doubles with me this weekend?

I’m pretty sure I’m being roped into some blind date attempt by Becca.

Me

Yes… but I’m bringing someone with me. I know you’re up to something Bec.

Slipping off my sensible heels under my desk, I glance at the clock. Eight p.m. Another thrilling Friday night at Harrison & Brooks. If this were a year ago, I’d be wrapped around Cameron right now… but that’s all just a distant memory these days.

The memory hits without warning—Cameron sprawled across my couch three months ago, his six-foot frame somehow taking up every inch of space as he casually shattered my world.

"I just need space,"he'd said, like he wasn't already occupying all of mine. At first, I thought he was joking.

He wasn't.

Two days later he had packed up my things, effectively rendering me homeless along with a very detailed budget of my finances that showed I couldn’t afford our shared apartment on my own, but he could… therefore, I would need to be the one to move out.

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