Page 70 of Miss Understood

The elephant in this very crowded hallway.

Jesse’s eyes dart my direction, and even though we’re far enough away that I know he can’t hear what we’re saying, it still feels like his eyes are reading the situation.

“I have,” I say.

It’s not a lie. It’s been on my mind almost daily, each time someone shoots me a judgmental stare or I think about my future at the firm.

Jesse and I can pretend all we want that our relationship won’t impact me professionally, but we’re kidding ourselves.

I know what the right decision is. But every time I go to make it, I remember that look in Jesse’s eyes when I brought up leaving the firm. His words might have been supportive, but his body language made it feel like a betrayal. Despite whatever he told me, or himself, I’ve been an attorney long enough to spot bullshitting from a mile away.

“It’s your call, obviously.” Troy follows my gaze to Jesse. “And I understand you have ties to where you currently are.”

“Loyalty,” I clarify, even if the reminder cuts me deep.

“But you also know it would be a good move.” Troy turns his body, and it blocks Jesse from my line of sight. “You’re smart, Luce—probably the most brilliant attorney I’ve met in years. I’d hate to see anything get in the way of what you’re capable of.”

“And that is?”

“A managing partner someday, your own firm. Who knows? Sky’s the limit as far as I’m concerned, and I’d like to help you get there,” he says.

“Why?”

“For one, it would be good for my firm. I mean, with you on my side of the fence, I doubt there’s a case we would lose. But also, for you. We’ve known each other a long time. I’d like to think we’re friends. You’ll only get so far where you’re at, given the situation.”

I draw my lips between my teeth. I know there’s a delicate ceiling I’m tapping against right now at Price & Davis, and being in bed with Jesse somehow made it weaker and stronger at the same time.

“You don’t strike me as a woman who wants other people to define her success—and I know that you would never let that happen. But staying where you are is going to make advancing difficult. I’m offering you another option. Friend to friend.” Troy reaches out his hand, but I let it hang between us.

Shaking it would mean accepting something I’m not quite ready to, even if I feel it in my bones that I should. If I want to stay with Jesse, we aren’t going to be able to continue working together for a number of reasons.

Am I ready to admit that? Accept it?

“I’ll let you know,” I say, and he drops his hand as a palm plants on his shoulder.

“Jesse,” Troy says before turning to face him.

If we weren’t in the middle of a courthouse, I’d be worried about where this is going, but there’s a line I know neither of them are willing to cross.

“We should get in there,” Jesse says to me, looking right past Troy, and I nod.

I leave Troy standing in the hallway, and I can’t figure out if my future is with the man I’m following, the one I’m walking away from, or both.

“You were incredible.” Jesse wraps his arms around me as we walk into the apartment. “They didn’t stand a chance. And full custody!”

“I honestly thought Tony’s head was going to explode,” I laugh. “I really shouldn’t be this giddy about it; it’s unprofessional.”

“I like you giddy,” Jesse says, leaning in and biting down on my earlobe. “Besides, you owned that room. It was so fucking hot.”

I smile up at him, his eyes full of admiration.

For someone who refused to let anyone in over the years, looking at Jesse makes me wonder what took me so long. He brings warmth into parts of me I didn’t realize felt cold and empty. And I can’t help but wonder if it would have felt this way with anyone, or if it’s him.

Mesmerizing in the bedroom and head-spinning out of it.

“What are those?” I catch sight of a bouquet of flowers on the counter, lilies and lilacs with a few white roses sprinkled in.

“For you, beautiful,” Jesse says with a smile. I’ve received more flowers in the past six weeks than I have in my entire life.

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