Trix. My Trix.

But can I really even say that?

We went through so much in so little time, it feels like longer than it was. Why does the very sight of her sting this badly?

I push open my office door, not holding back my epic sigh even though I’m not alone. Max sits at my desk with his feet propped up on the edge. He glances up from his phone and quickly drops it into his breast pocket as I step inside.

“Back already?” he asks.

I nod. “Gave me the runaround, as expected.”

“You don’t need her anyway,” he says, brushing a hand. “You’ve got enough to convince the judge to move forward.”

“Right.” I drop the file on my desk. “I don’t need her,” I mutter.

“Right.” He squints. “You don’t need her,” he repeats.

“Right,” I say again.

“Lance...” He releases his feet to the floor. “Stay focused.”

“I’m focused. I am very focused.”

“Think of your career,” he says. “Think of Haley. You’ve got her undergrad taken care of but what about law school? That’s not cheap. She’s going to law school, right?”

I pace toward the windows. “Oh, I remember. And... I don’t know. Maybe. Up to her.”

He shrugs. “I know you really liked this woman but... come on, we pro/con listed this whole thing already.”

“I know we did.”

“And you’re still hesitating?” he asks.

“I’m not hesitating,” I say. “I’m what-if-ing.”

“That’s worse.”

I pause by the window and flick the blinds open to look outside. Cold and rainy, as usual.

“I just think that if—”

“Lance.”

I exhale, letting it go. “Okay.”

“Look, you had a fling with a woman you probably shouldn’t have had a fling with.” He points at himself. “Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s not the end of the world.”

“But she doesn’t deserve this,” I say. “She’s a good person.”

“And what about her father? Or her brothers?” he asks. “What about the millions of dollars they’ve extorted — that she’s benefited from? Or however many people Angelo’s gotten killed in the process?”

“And he’s paying for his crimes.” I shake my head. “The only crime she’s committed is being born into the wrong family.”

“That... and a pretty solid case can be made for obstruction of justice, but...” Max stands up and slaps my shoulder. “Anyway, let’s backburner this thing and go meet your daughter for lunch. All right? Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Get it out of your mind, sleep on it ‘til Monday, do what you gotta do. I’ve got your back either way.”

“Thank you,” I say.

He crosses his arms, glaring at me. “Man, when you fall, you fall hard.”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Hey, guys like us, we can smell our own.” He grins. “My situation required compromise and trust. Yours... is a little more complicated. If you think you can compromise and trust your way out of this one and save your relationship, go for it. Otherwise...”

I nod as he heads toward the coat closet for his jacket.

“Otherwise...” I mutter to myself.

Otherwise... it’s done for good and I should move on. Move on with this case. Move on with my life... destroying hers in the process.

Trix and I were lightning in a bottle but I can still feel her presence around me all the time. The feel of her matte lipstick pressed against my cheek. Her feminine scent seeping out of her pores. The way her entire body rumbled when she laughed.

Christ, I really did fall hard. I haven’t felt this way about a woman since...

Haley’s mother.

Young, stupid, and naive. Those are easily the best descriptors for that time of my life and I can’t help but think the same about right now. I haven’t been a teenager in a long time but there’s still that aching tremble of first love roaring through my chest at the mere sight of Trix. She’s smart, insanely beautiful, and absolutely perfect so long as we agree to forget her last name for an hour or so.

Max snaps his fingers twice in front of my face and drops my coat over my arm. “Lance. Food. Haley. Fun times to be had.”

I clear my throat and slide the coat on.

“Right. Fun times,” I say.