Page 36 of Worth the Fall

Silence stretches between us, heavy and uncomfortable. I pick up the folder of notes, sliding it across the table. "I’ve done everything I can for you, Cameron. Please find another lawyer."

I stand, grabbing my bag. His voice follows me as I walk away.

"Mia, wait?—"

But I don’t wait. I don’t look back. I push the door open and step into the cool evening air, my chest tight.

At home, I sit cross-legged on my couch with a cup of tea that’s gone cold. My mind races, replaying the conversation with Cameron, but it keeps drifting to Miguel instead.

Miguel, with his quiet confidence and the way he makes me feel seen. He’s so different from Cameron—grounded, authentic. Even before Cameron’s sudden transformation, he was always so calculated, so controlled. Miguel feels real, in a way that’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

I think about Felicity, her infectious laugh and the way she lit up when she talked about princesses. She’s just like him—warm and open, with a way of pulling you in without even trying. The thought of spending more time with both of them makes my heart ache in a way I didn’t expect.

Before I can overthink it, I grab my phone and type out a message.

Mia

Just thinking about you. I miss you.

I hit send before I can chicken out, then set my phone on the coffee table and wrap the blanket tighter around myself. But as the minutes tick by without a response, the doubt creeps in. What if I’m misreading this? What if I’m setting myself up for another heartbreak?

Cameron seemed so sure of us—until he wasn’t. I trusted him completely, gave him twelve years of my life, and he walked away like it was nothing. What if Miguel does the same?

I fall asleep clutching the blanket, my phone dark and silent on the table.

The next morning, I wake up groggy and unmotivated. My reflection in the bathroom mirror looks like a before picture in a makeover montage, complete with dark circles under my eyes and frizzy hair that refuses to cooperate. I toss on a blouse and slacks, grabbing two donuts from the bakery on the way to work.

At my desk, I bite into the first donut, powdered sugar dusting my keyboard. Linda pops her head in, raising an eyebrow.

"Two donuts?" she says, smirking. "Someone’s having a day."

I wave her off with the second donut, mumbling through a mouthful of dough. "Let me eat my feelings in peace."

Linda chuckles, retreating to her desk. As I finish the second donut, my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Miguel.

Miguel

Sorry I missed your text last night. But it was a lovely message to wake up to.

My heart skips as another text follows.

Miguel

I miss you too. Can’t stop thinking about you.

I bite my lip, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before typing back.

Mia

Oh yeah? What have you been thinking about?

His response comes quickly.

Miguel

How soft your skin felt. How good you tasted. How beautiful you look when you’re just… you.

Heat rises to my cheeks, and I glance around to make sure no one’s looking at my phone.

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