Page 70 of Worth the Fall

"You have no idea," I say, taking a long sip. The wine is expensive—the kind Becca only breaks out for serious conversations.

She raises an eyebrow as we settle on her couch. "Work? Or Miguel?"

"Both," I admit, tucking my legs under me. "Though Miguel is… definitely not the problem."

"Spill." She leans forward, eyes sparkling. "And don't leave out any details about this morning's office makeout session. Linda already texted me."

"I'm going to kill her," I groan, but I can't help smiling. "It wasn't… Okay, it was exactly what you're thinking."

"Knew it!" She grins triumphantly. "But that's not why you look like you need to drink this entire bottle. What's really going on?"

I hesitate, swirling the wine in my glass as I try to decide where to start. "Well, Celine signed on with the firm."

Her eyes widen dramatically. "Wait, Celine? As in Miguel's ex-wife? As in the woman whose daughter already calls you 'Mommy Mia'?"

"Yep." I pop thePsound and take another large sip of wine.

Becca leans back, her expression a mix of horror and fascination. "And?"

"And she admitted she only did it to see what kind of woman her daughter is obsessed with," I say, letting out a dry laugh. "Because, apparently, Felicity talks about me nonstop."

Becca's jaw drops. "You're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding."

"I wish I were," I say, draining my glass. She immediately reaches for the bottle to refill it. “I felt awful,” I say rubbing my face as I replay the awkward moment. “Truthfully though, this has been going on for a while and I just hid it from Miguel.”

“What!” Becca’s eyes look like they’re going to pop out of her head.

“I think Miguel and I handled things wrong—we shoulder have met with her a long time ago. She felt threatened, a new woman showing up and spending time with her daughter.” I shake my own head at how ridiculous I was being.

“I could see that,” Becca says with a sympathetic smile, “so how are things now?”

I launch into the entire dramatic story, filling her in on all of the painful and embarrassing details that have transpired. "But then she apologized. She was crying, Becca. Like, full-on sobbing in my office. It was... intense."

"Holy shit." Becca shakes her head, tucking her feet under her. "And Miguel? How did he handle it?"

"He went full protective mode. Made me hire him as my lawyer on the spot—literally paid him a dollar and everything." I can't help but smile at the memory. "He was ready to storm into the partners' office and demand they reject her as a client."

"That's kind of hot," Becca says with a smirk. "All commanding and protective."

"Trust me, I know." I feel my cheeks flush, remembering how attractive he'd been in that moment. "But it's complicated, you know? This isn't just about me and Miguel anymore. There's Felicity to think about, and our careers, and now Celine. I never want to make her feel like that again.”

"Hey." Becca reaches over, squeezing my hand. "You're not drowning. You're just figuring it out. And it sounds like Miguel's in it with you, no matter how messy it gets."

Her words hit me harder than I expect, and I blink back sudden tears. "I hope you're right."

"I am," she says with a confident nod. "Now, let's finish this bottle and talk about anything other than work or ex-wives. Like maybe that hickey you're trying to hide with your collar."

"What?" I slap a hand to my neck, and Becca bursts out laughing.

"Made you look! But seriously, you two need to cool it in the office. Poor Linda's going to need therapy."

I'm about to defend myself when my phone buzzes. The text from Miguel makes my whole body flush hot.

Miguel

Get your ass home now, or I'm going to be using it later.

"Oh my God," I whisper, my voice barely audible as I stare at my phone.

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