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I’m sure you will, Nina.

“No problem.” I smile sweetly up at her as she turns to leave the meeting room.

But the moment I look back at Mark, my smile disappears.

The door closes behind Nina, and it’s at that moment my stomach drops. I know whatever is going to leave his mouth next is not good.

“I wanted to talk to you about the referrals, Kate. Yesterday, we heard that Monroe & Co. is withdrawing from our arrangement. I was on the phone with Henry this morning, and he explained that, at this point, they have a better and more appropriate firm in mind. They also explained that their fees were more competitive than ours.” Mark twists his lips together. “Don’t get me wrong, the majority of our business comes from new client inquiries, but our referrals are also a main source of income to the business. Monroe & Co. are one...were one of our biggest introducers.”

I’ve been waiting for something to go wrong, for them to follow through on all the promises and threats they made when they paid for all of my tuition, when they got me opportunities using their contacts, as they would always remind me.

“Just follow our rules, and don’t let us down.”

Words fail me as the room begins to spin.

“Did something happen, Kate? Your parents are ordinarily very supportive of your career and our firm; likewise, we are of them and their exemplary practice.”

Bile rises in my throat; this might be the second time I puke at work. I don’t know how much to tell him. The temptation to reveal that they might be kick-ass lawyers but asshole parents is strong, but I know that will only end badly for me too.

“I don’t know what’s happened, Mark. I wasn’t aware of an issue until you raised it.”

He flattens his lips together. “It’s just come out of left field, and to be honest, David and I are left confused and, well, reeling.”

My eyes sting with tears, and I blink hard to push them away. “I can have a word with my parents if you like?”

I know that’s what he’s getting at, even if he doesn’t say it out loud.

A relieved smile spreads across his face. “Would you?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Standing to leave, he pushes his chair back. “Is the plan to deliver at thirty-six weeks?”

I nod. “Yes, I’m moving to check-ups every two weeks after Christmas, but I’ll be in the office as much as possible.”

Mark smiles at me, although I can tell he’s stressed. “You’ve been one of our finest lawyers, Kate, and I’m sure we can expect many great things from you in the future. Just…” he scratches the back of his head. “Just let me know the outcome with Henry and Violet, would you?”

“Thank you. Yes, I will.”

He steps out, and I begin gathering my things, tears running down my cheeks. My biggest fear has always been that my last name means more to David and Mark than what I can bring in my own right. I wonder if that’s why he asked if I’d be changing it. I wonder if that’s why he thinks my parents are pissed.

I wonder how much of what I’ve achieved in my life has really been them in the background pulling the strings.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

JENSEN

Multiple days of “I’m fine” has driven me to the brink of insanity. At one point, Jessie sat with me in my hotel bedroom to make sure I didn’t catch the next flight from Dallas back to Seattle and completely miss the rest of the away tour.

She’s not “fine,” and I know that. She can’t hide anything from me. Her being upset for whatever reason devastates me, but the fact she won’t say tears my fucking heart out.

I might as well be on the bench watching the game playing out in front of me. I’ve been God awful, and we’re down one-three in the final period.

The Dallas winger flies down the ice, heading straight for me. Zach has saved me several times tonight, but not right this second when he passes the puck off to their center, eliminating our captain from the defensive line.

Barreling toward me, their center wastes no time in sinking the puck in the top right-hand corner. I failed to track his movements or recall his favored approach from the hours of game tape I’ve watched and apparently memorized.

“Fuck, this game is totally buried.” Zach skates past me, shaking his head, his hands on his hips.