“We will always be here for you, but wouldn’t it be better if you avoided getting hurt?”

“I know being involved with Jasper in any way is a bad idea. I’m not stupid.”

Carter raised his brows. “But?”

“I don’t know how to explain it.”

Miles sighed.

“Just hear me out.”

Carter nodded. “Explain what you can.”

“There’s something going on with Jay. He’s a mess.”

“Oh shit,” Miles said. “You want to put him back together.”

“No. Yes. I…his grandmother is really sick, and I think he hates his job, and—”

“Ford—” Miles started before I cut him off. Maybe I’d had a tendency in the past to want to take care of people who wouldn’t do the same for me.

“This case. It’s putting a lot of stress on him.”

Miles shook his head. “How can you be so cutthroat when it comes to casework, but such a softie for men who are assholes?”

I shrugged. “It’s a special talent.”

Carter shook his head. “You deserve better.”

“Probably, but—”

“You’re not going to listen to us, are you?” Miles asked.

“I don’t know, but I won’t let anything affect this case.”

“Even though Jasper is up for a promotion?” Carter said.

“How did you know that?”

Miles raised his brows.

“Why do you even need me? I know you could take care of this without me.”

“But you’ve memorized all those little nuances of law that I don’t want to learn,” Miles said.

I flipped him off, and he smiled.

“You. All of you.” I looked back and forth from Carter to Miles and they knew I was also including Worth. “You’re my priority. I’m going to do whatever is necessary to take care of you, but Jesus, could you just let me make a few mistakes?”

“When it comes to men,” Carter said, “you’ve made more than a few mistakes.”

“Fuck off.”

“I’m more worried about this one than most of them,” Miles said. I started to protest, but he held up his hand. “I don’t mean because of the trial. Because you’ve been….”

“Obsessed,” Carter offered.

I glared at him as Miles finished. “Obsessed with him for a long time. You honestly thought there might be something there, and then—”