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“ I need you, Rad. She needs you, and I need to do whatever I can to help her. I know this is a big ask. And . . .” Giving her time, she swallows, and then adds, “Her kids deserve a chance at a better life.”

Shifting in my chair, I study the frown shaping her lips in a way they should never be and the sadness darkening her irises.

Blowing out a breath, I look away and run my hand through my hair when my chest tightens.

I remind myself to maintain a neutral expression and remain professional.

“I hear what you’re saying, but it’s complicated to force a divorce on someone who doesn’t want it.

It can be a lengthy and emotionally drawn-out process.

I’m assuming he won’t sign anything if she gave it to him, correct? ”

“She spent the night in the hospital when she once mentioned it.”

Rage strikes like lightning. “Fuck.”

“I know.” She sighs through the defeat coating her tone.

Stay professional. Shuffling papers around on my desk, I distract myself from looking at her.

I won’t be able to handle the tears wavering on the edge of her lids if they fall.

Seeing a woman cry is my weakness. My mom .

. . I remember her tears too well. Tealey crying?

No. I can’t have that either. “Is there a restraining order in place?”

“She filed, but it was denied.”

I should really have Ashley in here taking notes, but this is personal, so I pull a legal pad from my drawer and jot a few things down. “It shouldn’t have been denied if there’s a paper trail documenting the abuse.” I look back up. “He’s?—”

“He’s awful, Rad.”

With our eyes locked on each other, I sense the words—fear, danger, and concern—she harbors inside but won’t say.

“I’ll help her.” I nod before setting the pen down before me and twisting it between my fingertips.

“I take a handful of pro bono cases a year when I can. It’s all I have time for lately.

I’ll take this one but on one condition. ”

“Anything.”

“Get rid of her current legal aid. Whoever was assigned to her case is doing a shit job. I’m not interested in schooling someone on how to win a case. I’m interested in helping your client.”

Tealey’s shoulders ease as a small smile appears. “Thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You’ve done more than you realize. You’ve given me hope.” She moves to her bag, pulls out a file, and sets it on the desk. “I brought this with me. I can get an e-copy for you if you prefer.”

“I hate sounding like, well, an attorney since we’re friends, but I have to keep things legal. I’ll send over a contract. She’ll need to sign it to retain me.”

Worry creases the corners of her eyes. “Free of charge, right?”

“Yes.”

Relief colors her expression with bright eyes, and a hint of that pink in her cheeks kisses her skin. Why does she have to be so fucking beautiful? “Thank you, Rad. What can I do for you in return?”

“Nothing. It’s fine,” I reply, glancing down. “Really, it’s no big deal.” I’d never require a favor in return, especially not from her, but my mind goes to the gutter because yeah . . . I’m an asshole. A few good deeds can’t change that fact.

She adjusts the strap of her bag over her head and settles it on her hip.

“You’re busy, and I’ve already taken up too much of your time.

I need to get back to work before I’m late, and let’s face it, I’ve already made this awkward by asking for a favor I can’t return.

I’m going to take the win and get out of your hair. ”

Our eyes connect one last time before she opens the door. Barely filling half the doorway, she says, “It was . . .”

I nod. “It was.”

Smiles are exchanged before she turns and runs right into a Pepto-pink suit. “Marlow? Hey? Hi.”

Just what I didn’t need today. A groan rumbles through me.

“ Helllooo .” The most boisterous and vain of our group, Marlow Marché arrives like she’s late for a red-carpet event.

She may annoy me sometimes, but there’s also something strangely charming and captivating about her that draws people in.

I just wish she wasn’t making a show of things in my office.

Marlow asks, “What are you doing here, Tealey?”

“I stopped by to visit Rad.”

Marlow laughs, the sound echoing around the office. “Are you two having a party without me?” She nudges Tealey with an elbow and another giggle. “Meeting in the middle of the day is how rumors get started.”

“No need for gossip,” Tealey responds and then shrugs. “I just needed to talk to Rad.” Glancing at me, she smiles softly. “Thanks again. Call me later, Marlow.”

“I will,” Marlow says, nipping our friend’s heel with the door as she exits. “Bye, Teals.” As soon as the door is closed, Marlow leans against the back of it, her eyes piercing me from across the room. “When did the two of you get so chummy?” she asks, an insinuation embedded in the question.

I’d like to ask her why she’s here, but I already know. A visit from Marlow only means one thing: she wants something. “We’re friends,” I reply casually. Why do I feel like we were doing something wrong?

“Yeah, but not usually outside of Jackson, Cammie, Cade, and me.”

“It’s no big deal. She just wanted to talk about some stuff.”

She sags in relief and then pushes off the door. “Phew, I’m so glad she told you. That secret was killing me.”

Even though I’ve known her as long as Tealey, I’ve never understood how those two became best friends with their night and day personalities.

She struts toward me like she’s walking a Paris runway, and I watch the whirlwind of a woman as her emotions twist around her, ready to usurp me into her drama, and I brace myself. “Told me what?”

“That she needs help.”

It’s not like Tealey to share individual cases with the group. Today with me makes sense since she needed help, but I’m surprised she’d tell the others. “Yes, we discussed the situation.”

Marlow perches on the chair across from me. “Good. I was afraid I would have to get involved, and I just don’t have time. I have appointments at the art gallery today.”

“You don’t have time to help a friend?” Taking the file Tealey left with me, I open it. “Your best friend, I might add.”

“How could I possibly help? Have her sleep on the couch for months on end? I offered her money, but you know Tealey. She has a saint’s heart.”

Why would Tealey be sleeping on her couch? “Wait, what?”

She looks at me like I’m dense. “Tealey’s moving to Texas,” she says as if I have comprehension problems. Maybe I do.

Tealey.

Texas?

What the hell is she talking about?